This CD came 5 years after his SUPERB "Frame By Frame" album in 1992, and is to date his third, and latest release. For me this was equally as essential as the previous sets. Bernard, as you may know hails from the Netherlands, and was schooled in England. His history is interesting - after leaving school he joined a local Dutch band called Steam. He later teamed up with , and later he teamed up with writer and producer Rob Van Schailk and founded dance group The Limit. Various hits followed and in the early 90s Bernard released his debut Solo CD. A pity we have not heard from this talent for over a decade, and if you check this album out you will also wonder where he is and what he's up to! Bernard has a penchant for jazzy flavours with a twist of soul. A Maestro on keyboards and drums, Bernard Oattes has a fine voice too and he deploys it here on the title song of the CD. The song comes in vocal and instrumental versions, so you takes yer money and you takes yer choice, really.Kees Ten Dam (aka KTD) supplies beautiful alto sax, and the legendary Peter White throws his awesome guitar skills into the process. There's also trumpet and flugelhorn for those, like me, who cannot get enough of it. The vocal version of "Rules Of My Heart" was an instant success for me. An exceptionally haunting track, the lyrics are superb and intelligent and the eerie synth is a constant companion here. I cannot get enough of songs like this, and you can trust this gentleman to deliver them. If "Frame By Frame" was your bag then you will appreciate this. Enough said. "Closing In On You" is a cool number, programmed but laced with muted trumpet and vibes, the enigmatic Dedre Twis adds her backing vocals. Very nice. This too comes in an instrumental guise. Fans of quality jazzy instrumentals will take to "Soaring", complete with Peter White and some lovey Gary Taylor-like synths. Great stuff. "Twilight Love" is another vocal effort of note and should satisfy fans of soulful 90s jazz. The phrasing of the chorus would actually suit Sade very well - it's a livelier take on her style, I suppose, on "No Ordinary Love". Recommended.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
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