Soul Express CD Review

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When I heard there was a new Nicolas Bearde album I was very excited. His "Crossing The Line" from 1998 is still a strong CD and is regularly played by me at home, so the idea of a new set really was met with anticipation. This CD contains 5 cover versions and 7 original songs and although I gnash my teeth at the endless and disquieting preoccupation of artists and the industry with cover versions, I have to give credit where credit is due and applaud Nicolas for his mastery of these timeless classics which he has interpreted very much as his own songs.

Nicolas is as impressive as ever with his vocals and with production from Chris Camozzi, Frank Martin, Peter Horvath and our old friends Claytoven, Larry Batiste and Nicolas himself in the mix the end result is not only impressive, but is compulsive listening. The flow of the album is smooth without being smooth jazz, if you see what I mean. I guess what I am trying to say is that this really is effortless indeed and I am, again, reminded of the late, great, Carl Anderson on the gorgeous originals "Every Little Star" and "Love Of My Life".

The opening song is very brave indeed; a song covered by many artists and this has to rate as one of the better of those I have heard. Of course, we always compare with the originals, don't that, and we can sometimes be grossly unfair. Anyone who can do a great take on Bacharach and David earns my respect. I absolutely adore the sultry, smooth, Latin flavour of "Wild Is The Wind" - this is simply gorgeous and the bass by Nelson Braxton and strings by Scott Fuller add nothing short of magic to this beautiful song. This is quiet storm soulful jazz at its best.

I have already briefly mentioned "Every Little Star"; a superb original composition that rates as good if not better than the material on "Crossing The Line". Again, "Be Mine" is original and reminds me of summer days and sandy beaches; the samba bubbles nicely and paces itself greatly. If you purchased the last effort from Jon Lucien then you will love this, too. The more happy, clappy vibe of "Summer Sunday" is warm and inviting, the jolly old slap bass getting into full swing thanks to Mr. Braxton again.

Following the bluesy "Love Of My Life" we hit my personal and immediate favourite, "Love Me". Readers of Soul Express will adore this. It has such CLASSIC qualities; the keyboards, percussion and guitar has my mind reaching back to the early 1980s. I really would advise you purchase this CD on the strength of this track alone!

I have not heard many convincing versions of "Naima" but boy does Nicolas pull this off. Utilising Doug Carn's lyrics and treating this as a ballad this is a STRONG track and could be no further from the racier version that Norman Connors treated us to back on MoJazz in 1993. "Promise Me / Island Girl" continues the summer sun feelings adopted in the album and is definitely at odds with the frost and ice that I sit looking at out of my window right now. I think I'll be digging this set out next summer, too!

The straight and jazzy "One Look At You" Charles McNeil on sax and, musically, would fit in better with the more standard material of Charles Fambrough a la his 1992 set, "The Charmer", which is equally superb. The cool piano led "Moonlight In Vermont" completes the set and its dinner-jazz quality echoes that laid down on Nancy Wilson's "Love Nancy" set from 1994. Stunning is all I can say to this.

I believe Expansion are picking this up early in 2005, but if you cannot wait any longer for this album - and I for one would not blame you - then head off to www.cdbaby.com where you can get a copy today! Essential, classy and masterful wrapped in smooth, smooth soulful vocals.
- Barry Towler