Timothy Wilson - Timothy Wilson - 1978 - H and L

A bit of a cult item, this LP from 1978. Richard Searling’s "Modern Soul Connoisseurs" set on Spectrum back in 2001 rightfully boasted the coup of obtaining the anthemic "Its Love Baby" and the big catch was to obtain the rights to the whole darn album, which included liner notes from my old mate, David Cole of In The Basement fame, making the whole package something rather special indeed. This H and L released album contains something for everybody. "Sugarland Express" is a dancer that leans towards the, then, contemporary Salsoul style – check out the racy instrumental breaks. I can envisage, God forbid, a number of teeny chart orientated dance acts rushing to their sampling machines for this one. Co-writer is none the less one George Pettus Could this possibly be the same gentleman who produced two essential sets for MCA in the 80s and 90s? "Its Love Baby" is nothing short of a 70s classic; what our music was really and truly about at a time when the disco boom was doing more damage then good (as it is today perhaps?). Timothy’s voice is rich, passionate and reminds me of a stripped down less nasal Little Anthony – think of the man’s 1980 song "Your Love" and you’re there. A touch of Philly is utilised on "(Wear Your) Red Dress (Tight)" – trying to capture the Norman Harris feel I think, with a touch of Motown in there too. Doesn’t really do much for me, I fear, this song. What does capture me, though is the superb "Follow Me" which has elements of the late, great Garry Glenn’s vocals on it. The strings swirl, the brass stabs and the vocals are spot on. This is quality, without a doubt! "Who Babe" is very Stylistics in orientation. Not surprising considering the era and the label! This essential album, as that is what it is, is topped off by the summery "We Just Can’t Help It" which is very pleasant indeed. Do yourself a favour, get this on CD: its quality, although does come at a premium now.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Ben E. King - Let Me Live In Your Life - 1978 - Atlantic

Ben. E. King is a solid, dependable and quality artist, and a great artist. I think that Benn is one of the jewels in our wonderful soulful crown, and he shined his brightest when he came together with the legendary Lamont Dozier for the "Let Me Live In Your Life" album, released in 1978. Most of this LP was essential and sounds as good - if not better - today as it did back then. Four cuts are familiar, having been recorded by the Originals on their essential "California Sunset" album for Motown back in 1975. For my money, the title track is a far superior version than the Originals' original and trips along on a diet of hi-hat, strings and some tasty backing vocals from the Duncan Sisters! If you loved Lamont Dozier's "Peddling Music On The Side" album then you will simply adore this track. Such a superior version I feel.

"Family Jewels", "Sweet Rhapsody" and "Fifty Years" are also covered to great affect and are as equally great as the original cuts from Motown. The strings, courtesy of the Memphis Symphony, sound lovely on these cuts and they are at their sweetest on "Sweet Rhapsody". Beautiful - you cannot beat a string section of this calibre. Cashing in on the TV show of the same name that was popular at the time (and why not? Lynda Carter was lovely!) "Wonder Woman" playfully uses this to it's advantage and is a clever piece of writing to boot. "Fly Away To My Wonderland" is typical of Dozier's output and on songs like this we can hear a proper melody driven song with real foundation and flow. Much of today's music - however good - lacks structure and as such leave you wanting. Dozier, the genius of our time, is able to craft a song perfectly. For lovers of the boogie tune, "Spoiled" will come as a real treat with a really spacey synth and rumbling bassline and spangly guitar. If it's infectious stuff you're after then look no further. Sadly this is not on CD, but if you are like me and like retiring well-played vinyl then head off to iTunes or Amazon where you can download this album! Worth every hard-earned penny.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Melissa Manchester - Don't Cry Out Loud - Arista - 1978

Leon Ware is my personal all-time favourite artist and I connect at a deep level with everything he does. Like most writers, arrangers and producers they often shine a little brighter on other artists. An artist of Melissa Manchester's caliber was a sure thing for Leon Ware. Her breakthrough was in 1975 with her hit single, "Midnight Blue", lifted from her "Melissa" album. This 1978 album has to rate as the Lady's best work ever. The album spawned a top 10 and Adult Contemporary hit stateside with the Peter Allen and Carole Bayer-Sager-penned track "Don't Cry Out Loud" and although that is a worthy cut, it is the Leon Ware cuts that I wish to focus my attention on. Starting as it means to go on, the album starts with the KILLER track "Shine Like You Should". A celebration of all that is good and great about Leon Ware, his writing, production and arranging, and of Melissa's strong, forthright performance.

"Almost Everything" could easily be lifted from a Minnie Riperton album from that period, and everything about the song is simply right and correct. The strings really do add the icing to the top of this cake, and the interjecting horn riffs add more punch than Mohammad Ali. The vocal arrangement of "Knowin' My Love's Alive", along with the interesting opening backing is almost avant-garde, yet the groove soon falls into sweet soulful territory, complete with Leon and Melissa herself on backing vocals, David T. Walker on guitar, Lee Ritenour on guitar and Greg Phillenganes on electric piano. This really is stuff for the connoisseur. I love these tracks, and I was even more happy when BMG reissued this on CD and included the brilliant cut "We Had This Time" which was the B-Side of the "Don't Cry Out Loud" single. This song, produced by Leon Ware is simply brilliant and the strings and vibes straight out of the Philly stable. This may have been an artist you may have overlooked, but please do not let this gem pass by.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Gino Vannelli - Brother To Brother - 1978 - A+M

Outstanding is the only word I can use about this album. Released in 1978, Gino Vanelli serves up an ultra soulful album with enough nods to the jazz-funk community and those with any quality running through their blood will know how great this album is. I would recommend buying the album purely for the 7" single release, "I Just Wanna Stop". This is one of the classiest tracks from the era and I cannot help but well up every time I hear it - a beautifully arranged song crammed with warm synth, Fender Rhodes and exudes reminiscences of hot summers past. The sax break in the middle courtesy of Ernie Watts is superb. However, this is NOT the sole gem on here and I implore you to check the album for these gems. I know a certain Dave Lee aka Joey Negro is a fan of this album as he sampled the superb Carlos Rios guitar section and Victor Feldman's vibes from "Feel Like Flying" for his own, superb" "Fly Away" cut from the Sunburst Band "Until The End Of Time" CD. Crafty, Dave but you can't fool me!!! Lol.

This track, sampling aside, is simply knockout. The vibes and guitar are to die for and Gino's soulful vocals, and backing from The Waters and Julia Tilman are perfection itself. Lovers of an uptempo Jazz Fusion flavour a la Lee Ritenour in his Captain Fingers guise will simply lap up the wonderfully energetic "Brother To Brother". This is just blinding and no music released today can surpass quality tracks such as this. Thank God the set is still available to track down on CD! MY final choice is an epic cut. "People I Belong To" is a powerful cut and musically the vibes are so strong that it could be a highlight on any Roy Ayers Ubiquity album. The song, about Gino's family is very moving and heartfelt and as a result Gino really pours his heart and soul into the words, and brother Joe Vannelli adds the personal touch on synth. Oh, what a wonderful track - and what a wonderful album. This is quality, quality, quality.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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