Duane Williams - These Songs Are For You - 2009 - Soul Junction

I have already sung the praises of the Soul Junction 7" release from Duane Williams, "Yes, My Love Is Real", and I have been looking forward to a follow-up album. Here it now is, 12 glorious songs that showcase Duane's more than soulful credentials and Will Hatcher's excellent writing and production skills. This is quality independent stuff, as fans of the 7" single will already attest. As you know, Duane was one half of 70s soul duo Beverly and Duane, and two songs from that album are recreated here with the sole input of Duane Williams. "Living In A World" is given a modern, funkier and more bassy reading with a vocal slant that would make Gerald Alston proud, and also check "Living In A World" which is given a modern remake. I like both versions of both songs, and enough has been done to make these different enough to make them tracks in their own right.

The Gospel-tinged "Father We're Having Trouble" addresses today's ills and issues and reminds me of how the great Ronnie McNeir would tackle these issues. Musically we're into modern Lonnie Hill "No Games" territory, and the sparse backing and harsh snare compliment the expansive keys and impassioned vocal pleas. Great stuff on here. The rumbling old school ballad "I'm In Love" will please many ears and the vocal delivery is straight out of the good old days of soul music, and I again hear Gerald Alston taking this track on. Ronnie McNeir again springs to mind with the music which underpins "Oh Me, Oh My (Wonderful)". Should there be a second single release then this, in my honest opinion, is the track I would plumb for. This is great soul music for 2009. The uptempo basspin-rumbler "Come With Me" should also impress - the scratchy guitar and synth work well on this. The bass leap-frogs atop a jostling rhythm and after a few plays will really get into your brain. Now all we're waiting on is the forthcoming CD from Audio!

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Duane Williams / Natural Impuse - Yes, My Love Is Real / She Went Away - 2008 - Soul Juction

Soul Junction, the label who brought us the fabulous Falcons compilation have delivered two modern monsters of wax, and I have to say that even to a CD-phile like myself the quality of these pressings are far superior to that which frequently turned my nose up all those years ago. Duane Williams “Yes, My Love Is Real” is a real essential modern soul stepper with elements of J Blackfoot, or Walt Foster within his soulful voice, and the tune smacks of Ronnie McNeir circa “Love Suspect”. I hope this single draws in the crows that it deserves – such a tune is exactly what we want to hear in 2009, and what magnificent work has been made between Duane Williams and Will Hatcher. The flip side is a short yet essential reprise – almost harking back to the days before 12” singles when we had Part 1 on the A side, and Part 2 on the other! The song is upbeat, breezy and will be one that will become lodged in your brain. One to whistle or hum to!

The second single is from Natural Impulse who supply us with a jazzier, 70s flavour. I hark back to the likes of Wood, Brass and Steel, and even Richie Cole's “New York Afternoon” at the very offset on this group effort. Of the two sides I definitely plumb for the A side which is the strong, strong “She Went Away”. The Richie Cole type sax, soulful, aching vocal, hi-hat and female backing vocals speak of simpler, less complicated times. I find a lot of today's music overdone, over-egged and a bit too 'cramped', if you know what I mean. The real instruments, expansive and even sound of this song is pitched just right. No heavy synth-bass to drown out any subtleties on here! I love this song. I think this is much stronger than the party-time B-Side, “Time Is Right”, which takes on a Bar-Kays feel. This doesn't work as well for me at any rate, but that's a trifle compared to the finer A side. If Soul Junction keep up with this sort of material then all's the better.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe