Darnell Kendricks - Strawberry Lemonade - 2004

Darnell Kendricks is a quality artist - those of you that have supported his latest album, "Smooth Soul Café" won't argue with that statement, and on the strength of this I have re-visited his previous debut album from 2004, "Strawberry Lemonade". This is another album that I would rate as a 'no risk disc'. I am all for strong albums be they new or past, and the nature of our music often allows something from the distant past to remain as fresh as a contemporary release. This may as well be a new release and will delight you in equal amounts to his latest set. The track listing, be warned, is not the same as on the CD artwork - so beware! Instead of "Can't Wait" we have "Willing". This opens the album on an extremely firm footing and is strong enough to recommend a purchase on this track alone. The summery, laid back vibe of "Good Love" is lovely - the guitar line and synths remind me of classier independent efforts from the mid-late 1980s - the Macola sound from Los Angeles maybe, or something of that similar flavour.

The twinkling and anticipatory "Jones In My Bones" picks up the pace and what I like about this stepping groove is the thoughtful, jazzy piano. You'll like this! Fans of early 80s keyboards will immediately pick up on "Can't Wait", with heaps of organ and snapping finger beats the song is giddy with glee and I warmed straight away to the vocal arrangement which remind me, again, of Tim Miner and Brian McKnight. The jazzy title track widens the album up completely - nothing unexpected with a singer of Darnell's calibre - and helps create a refreshing oasis between this and many other more pedestrian albums on the market. Fans of 80s slap bass need look no further than "Truly Yours" - the slight Marvin-esque vocal play is lovely and as such make this one of THE standout cuts. The final song, "A Soft Answer" perfectly draws the set to a close and allows a jazzier, subtle vocal harmonic to set the scene here. The warbling guitar is something we would have been used to in the late 1980s, and the lilting, jazzy piano also adds extra intrigue. Darnell Kendricks, on this and his later release has set out his stall and marked his territory. No lightweight and no fly-by-night. Keep your eye on this gentleman. He's the real deal. Still available from CD Baby.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Darnell Kendricks - Smooth Soul Café - 2010- Darnell Kendricks

Classy soul music from America is getting harder and harder to find, but when a truly essential release crops up from amongst the dross it has to be championed like crazy. Darnell Kendricks' second release is definitely one of THOSE championable CDs, and the quality is second to none. Uplifting, relaxing, sultry, seductive and sexy, "Smooth Soul Café" is all of these things. If you appreciate the more mature sounds of Brian McKnight - before he felt the need to hang wit da homiez... - then this is a CD that will appeal to you. McKnight is a massive talent and he would do well to listen to this CD to get his groove back. Seriously, this CD really does the soul some good and the vast majority of this CD will not disappoint. "Let's Run Away" was an instant hit for me. Smooth, with a hint of both Brian McKnight and Marvin Gaye in the mix, this track rolls along brilliantly. The beat ballad "Please Believe Me" reminds me of a quality track on a Parkes Stewart album - think "Brown Eyes" and you're not too far gone.

"So Much" is a blisteringly good track - plenty of atmosphere...horns, guitar and a rich musical tapestry covers this with much elegance. These songs yet again prove Darnell Kendricks as a real, genuine and proper bonafide soul singer and writer. Versatility is also the name of the game. Check the jazzy piano led, stripped down and no-nonsense "After Dinner" which turns the album around on a pin head! Jeff Ponders' sax reprise is very refreshing too, and the more I hear like this out of the dear old US of A the better. The buoyancy of "You Took My Loneliness" is truly uplifting...the experience of finding real love must be very special indeed, and how many of us await such a revelation in our lives? Following this, naturally I suppose, we have "Joy" - a juicy morsel of a track which adds a little warmth to our cold, cold winter days. An additional bonus from his Japanese BMFN release is the Diggyism remix of "Good Love". This is a great song with panache, fizz and plenty of verve. Oh, this really does make the heart sing, and I implore you to take a seat at the Smooth Soul Café. the music there is great!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe.