The early 1990s carried on in the quality soul vein of the 1980s, and albums like Lorenzo Smith's "Let Me Show You" are a shining exemplifier of how new artists came onto the scene unfettered by a corporate desire to follow the rap trend, and artists like this really were in their element. This album was released in 1990 on the quality Philadelphia label, Alpha International and contained a lot of songs that will mean as much to you 19 years on as they did back then. Some real Philly Cream appeared alongside Lorenzo on this effort, such as Larry Gold, Donald Robinson, McKinley Horton and Randy Bowland amongst others. I would like to raise awareness of four particular songs, and start off with the superb "Tic Tok". Vocally Lorenzo has quite a range and can adapt his voice to match the mood and style. For example, "Tic Tok" has the man really sounding like Peabo Bryson and at the time I had wished that Peabo had made more contemporary tunes like this - tracks such as "Come On Over" are perfect for him, and it's this exact essence that Lorenzo Smith succinctly captures on here.The next choice is the superb midtempo floater, "Natasha". Vocally, Lorenzo is a range higher and more like Bryan Loren - in fact this would not have been out of place on his re-titled "Lollipop Luv" album from 1984. Superb. Classy material continues without hindrance with the BRILLIANT Peabo Bryson-ish "Let Me Show U". He even vocalises just like Peabo on here. This really is a great ballad and the mood is set right by Jerry Cohen and Larry Gold on keyboards, and some classy female backing vocals. The 90s wasn't all swing and rap was it?! My final choice is the gorgeously synthy "My Love" which owes more to the late 80s than the new decade. With such quality material to enjoy in the 90s it was agonising to see this sort of material marginalised and, eventually, swept aside. Thankfully it's coming back folks, and this music will be champion in the end as it stands head and shoulders above the trash that usurped it. Many of these fine, fine CDs are available on Amazon quite reasonably - so I won't shirk away from bringing them to your attention!
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
Buy from Amazon
