Carla Thomas - Presents Nine To Five - 2011 - Carla Thomas

Carla Thomas - not THE Carla Thomas, you understand - is a refreshing new UK artist who is rolling up her sleeves and wading into the waters to try and attract your attention. Vocally Carla is nothing like her namesake. For my well-bashed ears, Carla lies somewhere between a subdued Evelyn 'Champagne' King and a lilting Mica Paris. Carla has written or co-written all 12 songs on her debut set, and influences abound on here, all of which are healthy. The first track on this prospective release is a healthy early Zapp-like affair. Think 1980 - 1983 and their first three days. Almost, too, a flavour of Kool & The Gang. Damn right when Carla recants that "working nine to five doesn't pay the bills". So is the experience of most decent, hard working people today. Soul music is supposed to strike a chord and resonate. Carla manages this, and reminds many new artists and their money-orientated besuited corporate record execs that there is more to music than a quick buck.

"Sunshine" - something we seem to be enjoying, dare I say it at the moment! - is a very Mica Paris-like track with a lovely ethereal synth line and gentle guitar line. Both relaxed yet groovesome, this young lady is at home on this sort of groove. I really think that songs like this should garner some solid airplay for her, especially exhibiting her knowledge, appreciation and huge musical nod towards Mr. Roy Ayers and his 1976 Classic "Everybody Loves The Sunshine"! Talking of Roy Ayers, "Mystic Voyage" is sampled - shamelessly! lol - on "Leave Me Alone". The spangly guitar of "Satisfy" flows very nicely with a great mid '90s beat and rhythm that reminds me of US groups such as UNV or Portrait. this is a really, really good song. This is a song that will really get into the old grey matter and get the old fingers and toes going. Not whilst driving, though...I know the old 'steering wheel bongos' are tempting but please don't tap your feet whilst in motion!!!

"Hard For You To Say" is a quality item throughout with a flexible vocal performance and features a few lines from Alexander O'Neal's "A Broken Heart Can Mend" as an interpolated lyric, showing yet again a healthy musical background and influence. The 90s-like "Show Me" also pleases the ear and shows us that Carla is no one-trip pony. The cautionary "Caught Out" sees our heroine the victim of a cheated heart and is followed up by a tasty number called "Know You Got The Rhythm" with plenty of soul, warm keys and edgy guitar. Aping Aretha Franklyn's "Respect" and taking her hat off to what is "the groove", Carla Thomas delivers what I feel is the strongest track on the album. Easily a standout, one can hear Carla at her best and gives us an indication of what we may have with a bit of time, dedication and support. Classy! Please check out this Lady and support a new UK act with her head and heart in the right place.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Donald Sheffey - Between You And I - 2011

Donald Sheffey has already impressed us over recent years with sets full of real soul, mellow vibes and toe-tappers. 2011 sees another release that will not fail to make a strong impress. This twelve-tracker sees a more rounded, more confident and – dare I say – smoother Donald Sheffey. The set, entitled “Between You And I” is more than a romantic patsy – more like a deeper, vocal / musical covenant between Donald, his writers and producers and you and I, the listener. Oh, and there is dynamic here and mutual transaction. It’s obvious that Donald and the gang have put their heart and souls into this album and many tracks elicit from us warmth, joy and definitive, solid appreciation. Vocally I am still as impressed as I was on first hearing his voice; his warm, resonant vocal quivers with the timbre of either George or Louis Johnson. It’s this silkiness that makes the set a real winner. Fans of Y2K real soul will melt into the lullaby-like “For Your Love” which gets more and more essential on each play. This is independent soul that really has some solidity to it. A real treat is the slightly Latin “Gifted” with a sumptuous backing and gorgeous sax, dreamy keys and lyrics that are positive and heart-warming. Written by Soulchoonz’ very own Di-Lee and features keys from from legendary Producer Tony Camillo, and sax solo by Scott Grimaldi. If you’re tired of the drab, grey and wet weather and long for warmer days...then hit track 2 and dream along to this!

Track 3, “Good Times” with its freaky keyboards and clapping beat takes us back to the 80s again, a place where I am very comfortable indeed. The uptempo “I’m Bumping” is a twist - no pun! - on the old dance, "the bump" which was a big thing from the 50s right through to the days of Soul train. The song, fun and vibrant injects more than a little warmth, and I think that you'll really get into the bump! I am also inclined to delve into the warm pool that is “In Love”. Unashamedly romantic, Donald Sheffey reminds me, yet again, so much of one of the Brothers Johnson on vocals and the tune is akin to something that we may expect from, say, Bryan Loren. Taking on a jazzier note with a persistent metallic rolling beat, “Loving You Today” adds some real vitality and spice to the proceedings. Back in the 80s we were inundated with tracks entitled “Stepping Out” – think 10dB and George Howard for starters – and here we are again in 2011 with a slightly Housed up beat that will appeal to fans of Soulful House as well as all the Chicago Steppers out there! Fans of a funkier, 70s keyboard will like the appeal of “Take You Home” and the driving, live feel is particularly impressive. Talking of which is our tenth track, “Time Out For Love” which is immaculately structured and paced. Donald, being a proper bonafide singer is perfect on this kind of song. I would say those who don’t dig to deep may find this song twee, but if so then it may well be that one hasn’t tuned in enough. It’s a piece that plays on Donald’s nuances, his flow and the flute and live drums act as a hushed support for his ever-present vocal abilities. The set closes with its dancing shoes on and “What You Need” draws the curtains on “Between You And I” nicely. Available from March 15th!

Barry Towler

The Vibe scribe