Soul Express CD Review SHEREE BROWN: – '83 (US BBEG, 2004)) I'd Rather Be In Love With You - It's A Pleasure - Grown Folks Blues - I Love You - When Water Flows - Love Is Forever - I Just Don't Get It - Day Crazy - Little Boy Blue - Interlude: If We Could Only See Through The Eyes Of A Child - Mother Drum - Sometimes - Interlude: No More Crying - Why? Oh Why? Sheree Brown releasing an album is an event, in my judgement, of immense importance. We have waited for a new release since 1982! Twenty-two years is indeed a long time, and times, tastes and styles have changed. Quality and musicianship will, as you know, out every single time. For many of us, we still cherish the acoustic, string-filled delights of "Its A Pleasure", "Passing Thing", "Can't Live Without Love" and other gems, and those who have yet to sample Sheree 2004 style may wonder what they will discover. Well, I have gone through all this already, and all I can say is that I am happy and very satisfied with what I discovered. Sheree has created a CD that I know has been a labour of love for her; you can tell simply by listening to the thoughtfulness of the lyrics and the cohesiveness of presentation. This CD has enough elements of her beautiful Capitol sets melded with a more contemporary sound, and my overall personal feeling with this album is that I love it more and more on each dedicated listen. All I wish is that we had a few strings thrown in for good measure - that would really have made this CD more special than it already is. If the opening song does not impress you, "I'd Rather Be In Love With You" then I think that you need to buy some cotton buds! The funky bassline, wah-wah guitar and CLASSIC vocal arrangement from Sheree are absolutely distinct, as they are singular. Sheree's vocals sound as fresh today as she did way back in 1982 - it is almost as it she never, ever went away. I have to admit that I am finding it hard to get used to the remake of "Its A Pleasure" - I think its such a hallowed recording that even Sheree herself cannot and should not attempt such a thing! Straight from the style of "The Music" comes "Grown Folks Blues" along with some very intelligently crafted lyrics. Sheree's voice and her acoustic guitar are like peaches and cream; both were invented for each other and are indivisible and insuperable. I could never imagine this being any other way. Take "If We Could Only See Through The Eyes Of Children" and you will hear what I mean. "I Love You" is a strong gospel song - and very good it is too and is a marked difference in style to a funky semi-instrumental song entitled "When Water Flows" - I rather like the electric guitar in this but I hope that Sheree, for the greater part, keeps her acoustic guitar closer at hand. There is a warm, world flavour to the bassline and adds to the overall splendour of the song. A more contemporary groove underpins "I Just Don't Get It" and I'm not sure whether this style suits Sheree, but it sure beats 7 bells out of the whippersnappers out there at the moment. Another interesting song is the clever "Little Boy Blue" which briefly uses the melody of nursery rhyme of "London Bridge Is Falling Down" (it was probably built by the same people of the house I am renting at the moment!). Now, this is no teeny R&B song which is founded on nursery rhyme tunes and lyrics, this melody is cleverly and subtly intertwined with the ghost of an African beat. The flute is rather welcome, too. Talking of African drums, check out the rootsy "Mother Drum" which I absolutely adore; the acoustic guitar and the African bassline are symbiotic, and the afro chanting is simply sublime. As the song progresses, the beats become more urgent and fundamentally more jazzy. This is the whole point of the song, tracing the music back to the source. Check out George Duke's "Ancient Source" which excellently tells the same story. OK, folks, this was a long, long wait but it was well worth it. My only hope is that Sheree will return before too long with '84...? - 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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