Will Downing - Lust, Love & Lies (An Audio Novel) - 2010 - Peak

This is the best Will Downing set for many a year, and for those who love the man and all he does it's yet another quality release in a long, long list of releases that have not failed to please. In fact, it's fair to say that this album contains more spark, light, shade and grit than a fair few previous releases, and the feel, thanks to Rex Rideout and Chris "Big Dog" Davis almost harks back to his beefier Motown release back in 2000. It's smooth, yet strident and still romantic. Will is one of today's greatest performers and this album deserves to be HUGE. The set is different, containing spoken dialogue between the tracks and tells a story of a romantic liaison and all the trappings that come with it. Our Femme here is the sexy-voiced Dee (Dyana Williams) and the songs tell a story of the road of romance. So, calling this an audio novel is quite apt, and nothing that we as fans of this great man should shy away from.

With Carl carter on bass, Randy Bowland on guitar and Chris "Big Dog" Davis on keys, Will Downing flows as smooth as silk over this cool, beat-driven number, the bass guitar and dreamy keys taking centre stage also, and as far as opening tracks go this is as strong as anything that Will has delivered to date. The contemporary urban cut "Feelin' Alright" may be a bit of a surprise, but understand that this is not a dreadful teeny R&B effort...though the 'hey-hos' are a wee bit too reminiscent of the likes of Naughty By Nature and the like. Did I ever mention I rarely play stuff from the 90s?! LOL. This is not a bad track by any means BUT fails to scratch one of the standout cuts which is "Consensual". I was flabbergasted on hearing this song, and soon hit the replay button. Such a slinky, jazzy-tinged, sexy song...Downing reasserts himself as one of THE voices of our time and on tracks like this he has the power of soul, song, seduction and his timelessness sweeps aside the whiners and auto-tuned kiddies that harass our senses today.

If this track makes you swoon, then head straight to "Fly Higher" complete with dreamy keys and spacey synths, and Eric gale-ish guitar courtesy of Michael Rippoll. Soul music rarely gets classier than this. Or does it? Well, if it does, then Will Downing's the man to smash his own records. "Shades" makes mincemeat of most of today's mainly insipid soul sounds and begs the question of why many other labels and artists cannot step up to the mark and produce such quality music. If Will and Peak records can do this, then why not so anyone else? Please check out the mid 80s Philly sounding "Do You Know", which has a great piano line, guitar and sitar. This is totally delicious and has been on repeat play over and over again in this house. This continues with the sublime "At This Moment" which could easily have been released on PIR in 1986. This is almost 80s Gamble & Huff and I am waiting to hear either Shirley Jones or Phyllis Hyman to join in as a duet. "Coulda Been/Shoulda Been" owes more to quality 2010 and ends the album admirably. Fans of his earlier work will warm to this set and so will life-long fans. Some may only know the man from his critically acclaimed cover of "A Love Supreme" and it's to them I say open up your ears and listen to Will Downing 2010 stylee...the epitome of style, class, finesse and smooth soul. Totally essential.

Barry Towler

The Vibe Scribe

Will Downing - Classique - 2009 - Peak

Yet again I have the pleasure to review another Will Downing album. And, yet again, I cannot fault the man nor his music. "Classique" is set for release on June 16th in the US on his latest label, Peak, and Will has not betrayed his huge fanbase, nor has he pandered to the kids' R&B brigade as many classic artists are wont to do these days. The instrumentation is real, Will is much improved in health and has beaten his illness; his voice powerful, rich, sensuous and better than ever. "Classique" rates as one of his strongest albums, and as we can expect a few cover versions are thrown in for good measure BUT given the Will Downing mark of quality and as always, he does not always choose the most immediate tracks, highlighting his wide knowledge of quality music. He covers, with much aplomb Gary Taylor's "I Won't Stop", duets with the awesome Phil Perry on a delicious version of The Originals' "Baby I'm For Real" and he lovingly tackles David Ruffin's classic, "Statue Of A Fool" as well as Barry White's "I'm Gonna Love You A Little Bit More". These are all classy, but it's the new songs that really inspire me.

The opening song is superb. "Ride" is the title, and it gets the CD into 5th gear immediately. The lavish production is almost Norman Connors in style and Ronnie Foster is superb on the keys. The synth and backing vocals are pure heaven and makes for yet another perfect Will Downing moment. "More Time (Tic Toc)" is a perfect summertime tune with some 80s keys, a flourish of organ and plenty more real instruments. This really is lovely stuff. I tell you this: you will be hard pressed to better "Something Special". This is BRILLIANT! A late 70s feel with plenty of soul, horns and flute giving it a classic feel. So soulful and summery it hurts!!!!!! You're gonna love this track! One of Will's best for some time. "Love Suggestions" is sublime and brings us back into a Y2K quality groove. Smooth and far better than anything you will hear churned out in the so-called RnB scene today. Fans of the man will simply adore "Let's Make It Now", a track that like all others will forever remain timeless. Will Downing and all his players have crafted and delivered a superior quality CD and is, for me, one of the best albums of 2009. Superb and essential.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Will Downing - After Tonight

For me, purchasing a new Will Downing album is a no-brainer. He has never let me down, and although I try not to place an artist on a pedestal for fear of having them unceremoniously knocked off, it is hard not to place the man up there. “After Tonight” is, as far as I am concerned, the most consistent album that the man has delivered for some years. That is some feat considering the sheer quality of all his recordings. This CD was recorded under debilitating circumstances, and I wondered how the Great Man’s voice would fare following such a devastating and wasting illness. Recorded from his wheelchair, “After Tonight” is a jubilantly defiant work that sees Will vocally undiminished. I do notice a very slight difference, but only that his lower notes remind me of a more sensuous Barry White. The deep bass rumble is there, the smooth expounding richness untouched and the wavering tenor undiluted. I regard the album as a triumph, no more no less.

My other fear was that Will would churn out a set of cover versions, as is the current trend, as Will is fond of covering his favourites. Having an almost biblical aversion to cover tunes, Will always comes off very lightly from me when he does. He picks some choice tunes and makes them his own. The killer cover on here is one of my favourite songs from Phyllis Hyman’s Buddah years; the Garry Glenn penned “No One Can Love You More”. Along with Gerald Albright, Will does an amazing job of both keeping to the spirit of the original AND still making it his own. This is a beautiful version; let’s not beat about the bush on this. The title track is also a winner, and the sexy lyrics should please his legion of female fans. It comes in two versions – both excellent. So take your pick! Roy Ayers makes a guest appearance on “Lover’s Melody”, an uplifting jazzy, funky number that works very well. Roy Ayers is a legend, and he is a very welcome addition to any personnel list. Kirk Whalum is another star, and his warm sax serves well on the two superb songs “All I Need Is You” and “You Just Can’t Smile It Away”. This autumn has seen some seriously solid, essential sets. Along with the Embers and Impromp2 you really cannot do without this CD.

Barry Towler

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