The Soul Express Album Review MARCUS JOHNSON (US Three Keys, 2004) Intro - Just Doing What I Do - R.J's Groove - Interlude 1: Just Doin' It - Love - 18th & M - Just To Get By - If I Ain't Got You - Sunday @ Sequia - Same Thang - Interlude 2: The Sensitive Side - Me Myself And I - I Wanna - Lazy Day - Interlude 3: New Beginnings - Yellow Cup - Enigma - New Beginnings - Holding Back The Years On the whole I have tried to avoid anything "smooth jazz" as I am bored stupid with the idiom. I had also tired a bit of dear old Marcus as I had found some of his vocal cuts mere variations of a theme and, as a result, boring. To be fair, there is a mass market for smooth jazz and many folks like it. However, I like a bit more oomph and groove and thankfully Marcus Johnson provides enough wind in this ship's sails to push this particular set further than many others right now. The flow of this album is gentle, easy and would appeal to lovers of recent works from luminaries such as Norman Brown and Wayman Tisdale. The unhurried groove of the title song is very easily on the ear and I particularly like the bass playing courtesy of David Dyson. The synth strings sound rather good, but one often wishes for the real thing. What is interesting is the interview track "Just Doin' It" which has some tasty background track courtesy of Ronnie Garrett. Very nice. Still, I prefer full-blown vocal outings and it is with pleasure that I first heard the EXCELLENT midtempo number "Love" which is just superb and features the silky tongued Frank "Scoob" Marshall on vocals. Marcus supports ably on piano and Stanley Cooper weighs in with the guitar. Very nice indeed. I also like the Jeff Lorber-ish funky plodder "18th & M" which is a nice instrumental. Talking of nice instrumentals, I plumb for the Bobby Lyle-inspired lilting "Sunday @ Seqouia", wherever or whatever it is its all pleasant listening to me! Frank Marshall gives us another vocal song, but is a bit too 'street' for these ears, but oddly enough I heartily warmed to the superb cover of "Me, Myself & I" which, a younger relation pointed out is track from a Beyoncé album. I deigned not to destroy my familiar listen with her version, but needless to say that I love this jazz version which is semi-sung by dear old Frank "Scoob" Marshall again. I can picture this track on a classy Ramsey Lewis album, and Frank should be doing some of his own works - hopefully 2005 will bring this about. Another nice effort comes with the sax-led "I Wanna" which features Mike Burton on sax and vocals. Sexy, downtempo and tasty. I would liken this to the quality material on Brian Culbertson's 1997 set, "Secrets" as it is that solid. Lovers of Ramsey Lewis / Urban Knights will appreciate the chill piano groove of "Lazy Day" which is definitely music to relax to. "Enigma" is another Ronnie Garrett tune and another soulful instrumental. On this set, Marcus really lets the keys do the talking, and his work gets no better than on this song. There is a bonus track, too which is "Holding Back The Years" by Alyson Williams. This, as you know, is available on her excellent comeback album. What is it about this Mick Hucknall song that attracts so many jazz / soul artists? The Isleys have covered it and quite a few others. I like the Simply Red original from 1986, but really don't care for cover versions of it. I suppose it's not for me to reason why! Anyway, this is a nice CD - not essential - but worth picking up if you are up to date, considering the next few months will be pretty quiet. Recommended. -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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