Soul Express CD Review  Buy this album from our CD Shop
TRINA BROUSSARD US Motown, 2004 These Are The Days - Still The Same - Dreamin' Of One - Losing My Mind - Out / Gone - Joy - Thinkin' Boutcha - Just Another Way - I Never Thought - Will Things Ever Be The Same? - Lies - No Way Out Now, quality music connoisseurs, read this carefully. Perhaps this, and the upcoming Remy Shand CD, will be the last decent records released on Motown. Why? Kedar Massenberg has left Motown and been replaced by Sylvia Rhone who has hotfoot from Atlantic Records. We can be absolutely certain now that quality releases such as this will be dropped like a hot potato. In fact, with this Lady's arrival it really should be the case that they just close down the label. It no longer is Motown in any quality form, and if you look at the sheer undiluted sewage that crops up on it (Conway, AZ, etc, etc the list is endless) then this will speak for itself. We all acknowledge that the musical climate has changed - but who is changing it and why? And what for? It is certainly not for the benefit of the music, longevity or the betterment of Black America that's for sure. I have said it before and I say it again: BLACK AMERICA WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. I have been looking forward to this album for a long time, and I bet you have too, but hopefully you will savour this in the knowledge that albums of this kind will soon be history. Essentially I was rather nonplussed with the album. It is rather cold, clinical and sterile in delivery. It reminds me of a joke losing its humour after it has been explained. However, there are 5 GEMS to be had and it is thanks again to our heroes Steve Harvey, Van Hunt, Jamey Jaz, Rahsaan Patterson and some chap who calls himself Commisioner Gordon (!) that we owe that debt of thanks. The opening song owes more to the 90s style of Steve Harvey more than his organic approach, but is a superb opening cut that treads the current R&B midtempo path very well indeed without going anywhere near tat. The following gem, too is just beautiful and I was instantly reminded of the flow of "Talk To Her" from India Arie's last set. I really do appreciate this folky, acoustic soul feel and this style works very well with Trina's gentle, if oftentimes uninspiring vocals. My favourite moment is the ESSENTIAL "Dreamin' Of One" which beautifully unfolds from the flute into a summery floater of immense magnitude. This is the Motown that I WANT and NEED to hear, Sylvia. NOT, I repeat NOT Missy Elliott, Brandy and the rest of the talentless rag tag and bobtail that is peddled at Atlantic. Thanks to Steve Harvey for the inspired production and Rahsaan Patterson and Van Hunt for the writing. I LOVE the Stevie Wonder inspired "Will Things Ever Be The Same" which has traces of Stevie's "Songs In The Key Of Life" atmosphere. The superb 70s tapper, "Lies" is really gripping and has in irresistible bassline that works well, especially when pootling along in the car! Not dissimilar from Erykah Badu's "Didn't Cha Know". Just sung better. I am not touched by the rest of the album, but it still is not at all bad as such - it's just that it leaves me neither here nor there. It is just a shame that this once classic label had been chipped away over the years and seems destined to be further defiled and thrown on the scrap heap. 'Tis a very sorry day. Take what solace you can from this album. - Barry Towler Other CD Reviews Albums of the Month in 2007 Albums of the Month in 2006 Albums of the Month in 2005 Albums of the Month in 2004 Albums of the Month in 2003 Albums of the Month in 2002 Albums of the Month in 2001 Albums of the Month in 2000 Albums of the Month in 1999 Albums of the Month in 1998 Albums of the Month in 1997 Other CD
reviews |
