Cecil Parker - Essensual - 2000 - Orchard

Cecil Parker is a dependable name, and great to see that he still has a lot of material available to buy both digitally and on CD. One of his strongest Y2K issues was this gem, "Essensual", released in 2000. Soulchoonz thought it a great idea to alert you to this recent gem and to the fact that the man is still very much active and creating some mighty fine music! A solid modern set, Cecil Parker lays down some soulful, jazzy and addictive grooves here and does well with ballads, midtempos and dancers. I was struck immediately by track one, "Come Over Here" which has a strong, sturdy and deliciously deep bassline. A fine Ray Parker Jr style guitar line drops in regularly and the competent and soulful vocal more than complements this groove. OK, we're almost a decade on from this release but this could easily have been laid down in a studio today. Even the obligatory rap on here does not deter me from the flow of the song! Could do without it, though. It's all to passe for my sensibilities. The sensuous "Want Me Here" is the first ballad of weight and is crafted very much in a mid-late 1980s style. This is very becoming and nothing about this song is bad at all. Again, the rhythm guitar is strong and sound.

"Never Say Never" is my next choice. A song that I was initially wary about with a slightly twee start, it soon build up into a strong cut with a lovely chorus line with sparkling vocal harmony and understated yet spot-on synth and percussion. Again, a great 1980s feel. "Let Me Turn You On" with it's programmed beat and Y2K feel is pinioned nicely by a sensuous vocal approach and a chorus which has a melody that reminds of of Patrice Rushen's 1994 number, "I Do". Fans of Babyface will take to "Who's Gonna Love Me" - this relaxing and unassuming ballad has that Babyface style routine in it's composition and I can even feel the likes of MOR-ish Brian McKnight working well on this groove. Don't skip this, whatever you do. It's better than you could think! More immediate I feel would be the modern beat ballad "I Want It Again" - a 90s sounding cut that would easily grace one of those boy groups albums - someone like Four Sure, IV Xample or that ilk. There was some great ballads crafted by these kids in the 90s and although formulaic and bandwagon, there was still merit there. This song would easily fit in with this era's material. You will be able to pick this up on Amazon as well as his other material. All well worth investigating. Go on, what are you waiting for?!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Remi - A Taste Of Eden - 2000 - Tall Hair Music

Prior to recording this EP in 2000, Remi had worked in a group called The Day-Z's with Morris Day of The Time at the helm and she has toured and performed with Howard Hewitt, Tina Marie and Karyn White among many others, including a more recent stint with Christopher Cross. How about that for a credible resumé?! I was impressed, and more so impressed with this release which is soulful, sexy, intimate, and jam packed with groove, sensuality and lyrics that are intelligent. The opening song "In The Heat Of The Night" is a sexy, shuffling groove that is perfect for summer; the sax that is prominent on this song accentuates the intricate and textured musical backdrop like a hand in a glove. This is the sort of dancer that Leon Ware would be really good at. Plenty of texture both rough and smooth and Remi's ultra-soulful vocals drench the song effortlessly.

The following tune, "Coco Bella", is another Ware-ish moment and Kuh Ledisma's work with Attalla Zane Giles also springs to mind regarding this composition. This sexy monologue is essential - the loping beat and the tropical essence is adorned with a subtle synth lining that makes it a real spine-tingling moment. Remi's reminisces over her first kiss are better than mine are! Try writing a song around the cloying smell of potter's clay in a musty, stale art department store cupboard. Go on - try it! I defy you! The plush grooves continue with the terrific midtempo "It Ain't Gonna Change My Love" which gets my toes and fingers working nicely. On "A Taste Of Eden" I am slightly reminded of Kashif's "Who Love's You" album on this, so you know that this indeed a quality song. Our final tune is another welcome 'two-step' cut with lyrics reflecting on the discovery of a cheating partner. So, this mini album is chock-a-bloc with pacers that are definitely aimed at the soulful RnB market. Strong vocals, strong lyrics, strong music and on first hearing I am in no doubt that this is one talented Lady who oozes talent, sexiness, class and can get my toes tapping. Whatever happened to the follow-up album, "Urban Gypsy", I have no idea but having recently spoken with this lovely Lady I know that before long she will pop up again. Do not overlook this CD or this Lady.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Chad Borja - Show Me The Way - 2000 - Warner Phillippenes

Many I have to thank my good friend, Richard Busiakiewicz, for originally alerting me to this GEM of a soul CD back in 2003. If not for him this album and the gorgeous tracks contained therein would have never been known to me in a million years. I cannot thank him enough for this exposé. The reason for this is because this was only released in the Philippines!!! However, there are outlets in the US via the Internet, which have this so fear not! Hailing from the same location as the beautiful Kuh Ledisma, Chad Borja is in the bag that I consider Sophistisoul. Lovers of the quality soul flavours of the late 80s and early 90s will want this CD for definite. I was stopped in my tracks by "Let Your Love Inside" – I can honestly say that I have woken up in the middle of the night with this song in my head and I simply cannot get enough of it. If you love the breezy ballad / midtempo offerings of Barry J. Eastmond and the like then you will die for this song. In fact, a close comparison would be a heady mix of Chapter 8, Al Jarreau’s "Tomorrow Today" album or even the blissful material on Ricky Lawson’s 1999 CD, "Ricky Lawson & Friends".

Why on earth was this particular CD not released in America? "Let My Love Inside" is such a happy, sublime song with Chad’s mega-soulful vocals really in command over the lush instrumentation. Jap-Jazz keyboard legend Yutaka has produced this CD and has done a fantastic job of giving the man a broad appeal with his native homeland and the wider world with compositions that are in Chad’s own tongue, as well as English. Those guesting on the CD, and offering musical support should give an indication of the calibre of this CD. Kevyn Lattau offers her vocal talent, Scott Mayo appears on sax, Bunny Hull composes and Valerie Pinkston of Chapter 8 and Arnold McCuller add their vocal skills. Please give a listen to "Someone" which is an excellent cover version of the Jay Graydon penned song from El DeBarge’s first solo Gordy album back in 1986. This is a blistering version that remains true to the original and is yet struck in its own quality mould. Great stuff, and one that would be MASSIVE on radio. The other songs I also like, but for some these may be considered too MOR orientated for some listeners. Myself, I happen to like them, especially the strong duet between Chad and the tasty Kuh Ledisma. "Summer Without You" has great vocal interplay and D-Macon (of "Falling" fame) is a close vocal comparison for Chad on this song. "If You Walked Away" hits MOR territory but is the type of material that soul connoisseurs will still truly appreciate. If Peabo Bryson can do it with style then why not anyone else? OK, so this CD is obscure and straight of the blue but I assure you that you do not want to miss this one. Available as a download from Amazon!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe