Soul Express CD Review Note: Read the fresh interview with Jabari Grover from our printed issue 4/04  Buy this album from our CD Shop
JABARI GROVER When I'm With You UK Expansion, 2004 I Can't Help It - Pocket Full Of Dreams - Since You've Been Gone - Seasons - I'll Be Around - I Still Believe In Love - Everything's Gonna Be (Alright) - With All My Heart - When I'm With You - Thank You We are experiencing a serous flurry of essential soul releases this autumn, and part of that soulful deluge is this exceptional set from the highly talented Jabari Grover. Jabari is a new name to me, but I see from the credit notes that he has a writing pedigree already with Walter Beasley and Color Me Badd, and has opened shows for a galaxy of talent who include Chaka Khan, Levert, Vesta Williams and the late, great Johnnie Taylor. So what can you expect from this man? Well, musically I hear the smooth, jazzy soul of Frank McComb's Motown / Columbia years and vocally I hear Frank McComb, Donny Hathaway and in the lower vocal regions even Willie Clayton! If this does not impress, then I suggest you go visit the soul doctor! Descriptions aside, the proof of this tasty pudding is definitely in the eating, and with my limitless appetite for quality music this really did leave me wanting seconds. This is relaxing, warm and perfect for cosying up this time of year. I adore all ten tracks and two especially light my fire, those being "Seasons" and "Everything's Gonna Be (Alright)". This is soul heaven make no mistake. I was as struck with these songs as I was with Byron Woods' "Fly Away", and that is a compliment indeed. The gentle, soaring synth and sax that opens into the masterpiece which is "Seasons" reminds me a little of The Temptations' classic "This Is My Promise" from their 1998 "Phoenix Rising" album. I can sit and listen to this all day, the more I hear it the more the chorus and medley reminds me of Brian McKnight's essential "Stay". "Everything's Gonna Be (Alright)" is a sublime shuffler that is simply perfect for Jabari's smooth, rich vocals. His voice really has an expansiveness that belies his gentleness and this song exemplifies it nicely, aided by soft keyboards and warm synths. Superb is the only word I can use to describe this. A favourite with many Soul connoisseurs already is the opening song, "I Can't Help It", with its chilled muted trumpet, eerie synth and piano. Within 30 seconds you will be in no doubt that greatness and quality are the order of the day. The gorgeous "Pocket Full Of Dreams" does nothing but heap more essential platitudes onto the album. You cannot help but be drawn into the music on the smoothness of Jabari's vocals. Each track draws us in further and by the end (only 10 tracks, folks!) we can do little more than play the album again and again. I really enjoyed the short but sweet "I Still Believe In Love" which is soooo Frank McComb it hurts! Even the odd track that did not hit immediately are now favourites: "When I'm With You" although very gentle and simple has that certain something that I cannot put a finger on it. Needless to say that it is a blinding album and one of the most essential Expansion releases this year. Even my other half, who doesn't mention my music unless she really likes it, thinks that this is a "lovely, lovely album". So there you go! An essential album release, and one that really ought to be in your collection as soon as possible. - Barry Towler 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
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