Keni Burke - You're The Best / Changes - 2010 - Expansion

Keni Burke is an artist that means so much to me. One of my top favourites of all-time, it is a one of life's true pleasures to sit back and appreciate the creative genius that is encapsulated in this gentleman's music and voice. There has not been a moment since his outings with the Five Stairsteps that interest has wained. His brilliant 1977 dark House album is still much revered, his two RCA albums cherished beyond belief and later 1990s works for expansion much in demand still today. With a new album in the offing and a sell-out show beckoning at London's Jazz Café on Saturday 9th October interest is still deservedly high for this mighty talent. Ralph Tee has kept the flame burning for this talent on recent shows and his new song aired this week, a collaboration with Coll Million will certainly have your musical taste-buds salivating. My only wish is that his 1986 Arista 'in the can' material would surface..."Eyes Don't Lie" is a true Keni Burke classic and is screaming to be released...still on an old Soul Sauce tape from Summer 1989 this song is one that I would remortgage my home for! Anyway, in the meantime Expansion have reissued the Genius' two RCA albums on one album. Many will applaud this and be thankful as "You're The Best" was only issued on CD in Japan a handful of years ago.

Truth be told, no-one bar the wet-behind-the-ears, novices, or recently enlightened will need to be extolled the virtue of either Keni Burke or these two albums. The upbeat and good-times flavours know know boundaries and when Keni and his groove get to work we are compelled by forces of nature to move and get into it. tracks such as "Let Somebody Love You", "You're The best" and "Hang Tight" paved the way for later gems at Philadelphia International with great songs like the O'Jays' "Put Our Heads Together" and the Jones Girls' "Ooh Ooh Ah Ah" and are still thoroughly essential today nearly 30 years on. I can guarantee that these will sound equally essential in another 30 years too, such is the quality of the music made here. Personal favourites of mine are the two cover version, interestingly, and what Keni did here was take two essential, blindingly brilliant songs and give them the Keni Burke magic. "Love Is The Answer" is one of my favourite songs by the legendary Todd Rundgren who along with his 70s Rock outfit, Utopia turned out this amazing track. This song is one I own and play constantly, along with much of the man's work, but Keni Burke obviously loved the song as much as I do and he proves that he lives and breaths it's magnificence...he reinterprets it magnificently and i know that he knows this song on a very deep level.

Secondly is Curtis Mayfield's "Never Stop Loving Me"...this song reduces me to a wreck. For me, one of Keni Burke's finest ever moments and a song that i would happily take to me to the 'other side' when my work on this plain is done. talk about music perfection...recorded in 1981 this song has not dated one second and still an essential addition to any connoisseur's playlist. Another song that deserves such acclaim is "Gotta Find A Way Back In Your Heart". In all serious, this is music PERFECTION. "Changes" from 1982 is yet another masterclass in music-making. A classic album by everyone's standards, who can fail to be moved by smouldering ballads such as "Who Do You Love?" and amazing swayers such as "One Minute More" with Philly backing by - I believe, without digging out the set itself - the Sweethearts. "Risin' To The Top" is an anthem...a timeless classic, a standard piece and never fails to make a Summer day much more than a lovely day...it makes memories. This is the ultimate 'good times' chill-out song and woe betide anyone who tries fiddling with it! It is always a pleasure to have a Keni Burke release of any sort...this is a perfect reminder of past glories, timeless classics and keeps the man in the spotlight as we eagerly await his first UK performance since 1991's Southport Weekender and his new album later this year. ladies and gentlemen...the genius, Keni Burke.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Lou Rawls - Now Is The Time / Close Company - 1982 / 1984 - Expansion

When I saw Expansion had pencilled this two-fer for release I immediately emailed label boss, Ralph Tee and expressed my genuine delight and thanks. These are my all-time favourite albums of Lou Rawls, and never did I imagine seeing their release on CD, especially outside of Japan. These albums may not be on the Philadelphia International label but the whole writing / production team for both sets are classic Philly through and through. Epic were soon to realise the continuing might of Lou Rawls with Dexter Wansel, Mtume and Thom Bell supporting him. Yet, these albums came and went without fanfare or trace. Lou himself called his three 1980s Epic releases his 'hidden gems' and I was well acquainted with "Close Company" when it was released late in 1984 it wasn't until 1998 that I stumbled across the MONSTER "Now Is The Time" album...and what an essential set it is.

"Now Is The Time" is Philly magic at it's best. Every track a winner, no fills and no cop-outs. Twenty-eight years on this remains a solid, staple set of real soul tunes and I can commend this as much as I can any brand new release, if not more. Fans of Thom Bell's 80s works will simply bask in tracks such as the dreamy and laid-back "(Will You) Kiss Me One More Time", string-laden classics "Ain't That Love Baby" and "Watch Your Back" (songs co-penned with Deniece Williams, which is a perfect joiner for anything on her then-recent sets "My Melody" and "Niecy"). The Teddy Pendergrass-ish "This Love", written by Commodores main man Walter Orange closes the set and the Thom Bell efforts and so leaves us with the monumental productions from the equally legendary James Mtume who was doing great things at Epic at that time. Classy, stylish and in the Philly mood, Mtume crafted "Let Me Show You How" with expert flair...a ballad of distinction and one that would have suited any of the class acts of the day. "While The Rain Comes Down" equals this and empowers Lou's rich vocals, and we are left with the title track which is a real modern monster...so good Expansion included it on their essential Mtume and Lucas collection some years ago.

Not as solid a set, but containing some real jaw-droppers, 1984's "Close Company" continues this two-fer. Philly Stalwarts Dexter Wansel and Cynthia Biggs throw in a flavour of golden Philly sounds, and the superb title track - a David Porter and Donald O'Connor song (he of Bearsville Records' "Come Alive" fame) - simply eases you along. The rich vocal is ably supported by a gentle, unassuming tune and supporting vocals from those who include Wanda Vaughan and Josie James. What I love about Lou Rawls' voice is the clarity and depth...his was a truly masterful voice and I am deeply saddened that it has been silenced. I feel this sadness so much when I hear what is my all-time favourite song...his reading of Michael Jackson's "Lady In My Life"...already a great song, Lou Rawls along with Dexter Wansel, Don Renaldo and The Jones Girls make this a piece of intense Philly magic...never has Lou sounded so at home on a track, and the vibe is simply perfect; the Jones Girls, not unlike the Sweethearts, perfection itself, effortless and sexy. So...I am thrilled beyond measure to own this track, and these two albums, on crystal clear CD. Expansion and other reissues labels deserve credit and thanks for keeping gems like this alive. ESSENTIAL.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Gene Van Buren - What's Your Pleasure - 1982 / 2009 - Funkytown Grooves

This is a GEM of an album, and one that was very rare indeed on wax. A HUUUUUGE thank you to all the chaps at Funky Town Grooves as well as dear old Harry Weinger at Universal US, in collaborating to get this album a legitimate release on CD – and from the original Motown master tapes too! I have never been interested in remastering from vinyl – I can tell straight away and to say I'm put off is a bit of an understatement. “What's Your Pleasure” is a quality early 80s release that I have cherished for a very long time. I never forget Richard Searling playing “When Is My Turn” on his Red Rose radio show, “Soul Sauce”, back in the 80s, and knew there and then I had to own this LP. The thing was, it appeared not to be an easy set to get hold of then, but not now thanks to Funky Town Grooves!! The album is classy and appeals to lovers of connoisseur soul, and the better-styled early 80s boogie tunes. Gene Van Buren is better known as a backing singer, and has worked with many of the greats. He can be heard backing up alongside Luther Vandross on David Lasley's superb 1989 set “Soldiers On The Moon”, and even alongside David himself on backing chores for guitarist Jimmy Buffet. Now, Gene appears to have disappeared completely- and this is a crying shame for soul music. The 1982 album, all 9 tracks, were overseen by Berry Gordy himself, and featured a star-spangled line-up of musicians. Odd, then, that this remains an album shrouded in mystery. Benjamin Wright was an arranger, the legendary James Jamerson appeared on bass, and Michael White and Leon “Ndugu” Chancler are on drums. As for Gene himself – his vocals are absolutely breathtaking. Such clarity of voice and such power! He has been likened by some to Glenn Jones, but I would rather liken him to Rockie Robbins.

Although the main stay of this work is not ground breaking or novel, certain tracks certainly stand the test of time, and it is to those I turn my attention. “When Is My Turn” is the cream of the crop; lovers of Chapter 8 / Michael J Powell should find this as essential a song as “How Is It Possible” or “Don't Stop Lovin' Me”. The strings are gorgeous and the backing vocalists of Lynn Davis and Portia Griffin are sublime. “You've Got Me Where I Want You”has a great Ronnie McNeir summary flourish within its keyboards, and Gene's vocals are very Rockie Robbis-like here. This is a gently swaying song, juxtaposed to the heavier synth-funk on here such as “Action”. Incidentally, the horn arrangement comes from another great Motown act of the early 80s – Ozone.

The sort of classy 80s dance spirit captured by modern class acts such as Confection is encapsulated in the title track, “What's Your Pleasure”. The Paul Lawrence guitar, horns and freaky keys are all excellent. The groovy “I Give Good Love” would sound great on radio today – 26 years after release! If you are into tracks such as “High Hopes” from the S.O.S. Band, or “Act Like You Know” from fat Larry's Band then this will also do the business for you. The gorgeous “I Love You More (Than I Hate What You Do)”is again full of strings, and that is what helps give it such a rich quality! I wonder what this girl does though to warrant such a song? Is she a parking meter attendant?! Anyway, “What's Your Pleasure” stands as a lost album of quality songs from 1982, and its a pity that his follow-up album never took off in 1984, even though the pairing of this talent with Michael Stokes would, I am sure, have been AWESOME. We do get a taste of this, however, with the funky “You Excite Me” which is very 1984 and not unlike the material we could have expected to hear on the Dazz Band's “Jukebox” album that same year. This album is a real gem, and ta dream come true for me to own this on a proper, truly mastered CD release. ESSENTIAL.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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