Soul Express CD Review Note: Read the fresh interview with Kashif from our next printed issue (1/04), coming out in April KASHIF: – Music From My Mind (US Brooklyn Boy Entertainment, 2003) CD1: Sexy Girls - Superfly - So Emotional - I'm Down - Tossin Turnin - Bout To Fall In Love - Mingo Wheya (Inst) - Black Woman - He Don't Love You - I Don't Give A Damn - Beatuful Eyes - Crazy Love - Can We Just Get Along? - Chill Chill Chill - Brooklyn Breezes (Inst) CD2: Just Got To Have You (Lover Turn Me On) - Stone Love - The Mood - Rumors - Say Something Love - All - Help Yourself To My Love - Don't Stop My Love This is Kashif's first CD release since his self-titled Arista set in 1989 in the US and his "Who Loves You" set released by Expansion in the UK back in 1998, so both devotees either side of the pond of this great, great man have had to wait a long time either way for new music. This CD is a must-have for two reasons. Firstly we have 11 NEW tracks on CD 1 and secondly CD 2 contains the whole of his 1983 Debut Arista CD which I have always wished for on CD. All we need next is his follow up album... hopefully this will be in the pipeline! Kashif is a major, major player on the black music stage and although he is not a household name here in the UK his production works for the likes of George Benson, Dionne Warwick and Whitney Houston are definite household favourites. Kashif is also a man with serious business acumen and has a top-selling book available on building a business. A man of many talents, and the best ones for me are displayed on this CD. So what is Kashif doing now, then? He is in the groove and FUNKY, that's what he is and I was immediately impressed by the man's grasp of today's stripped down sound, and his ability to intertwine his Classic 1980s groove feel within it. This means that people like me who really loved the 1980s are happy, so too will be the whippersnappers who will trip over the man's music and think him as someone new. This review will only spotlight the new recordings; we already know his Expansion release and his debut set and there is no real need to go into those here - perhaps only to say that a purchase of this album is, in itself, ESSENTIAL for his 1983 debut set (Check "The Mood"...Mmmm!). Now then, first of all it has to be smacked botty time. The CD tracklisting is not the same on the cover as it is on the CD. The true tracklisting is on the disc, so if what you read on the back cover does not tally with what I have written here then don't blame me! Much naughtiness, Kashif, and enough to bamboozle a half-asleep soul like myself first thing in the morning after being rudely awakened by the Royal Mail! The two first songs are too 'street' for this listener, but one has to credit him for his ability to diversify and appeal to younger ears. Track three, "So Emotional" is the first of some SUPERB tracks and prove beyond doubt that this man has not lost his touch one iota. This song is an elegantly crafted mid 1980s styled midtempo belter - easily comparible to such quality songs on the latest Johnson & Branson set. Vocally the man is on top form and instantly recognisable and at home in this firm groove. "Tossin' And Turnin'" had my head turing when I heard this on CD Baby. So simple, devastatingly simple in fact and unarguably moreish. The beat forms a serious head-nod and the acoustic guitar and 80s styled keyboard flourishes embellish what is a FANTASTIC song. I would personally be happy paying the full $19.95 for these two songs alone let alone the other treats that are included. These include the beefy, bouncy late 80s housey "Bout To Fall In Love" which is serious dancefloor material indeed. Tremendous music, as is "Black Woman" - a tribute to these fine ladies in fine beat-ballad fashion. If the sound of David 'Pic' Conley and his production is to your liking then the presence and atmosphere of "He Don't Love You" will be up your street. This, musically, could be Surface from their "Second Wave" album. I have already mentioned diversity, and the most diverse inclusion has to be the lovely "Beautiful Eyes" which is a crossover pop / soul ballad set in the vein of Lionel Richie or, more likely, St. Paul. This is similar to the highlight songs from the latest St. Paul release - just brilliant and deserves to be a radio hit. The last new track that butters my muffin is "Crazy Love" boasting a tapping beat, a happy gait and a spring in its step. This is a very welcome CD, and contains more than enough for fans old and new. 2004 just gets better and better. Keep it coming, chaps! - 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 |