The Gap Band - Y2K Funkin' Yil 2000 Comz - 1999 - Private I

This album may have been a bit too 'street' for a lot of Gappers out there, and the guys had, by this point, started forging links into the Hip Hop community with liaisons with the likes of Snoop Dogg, Case and others. Well, this 1999 album contained a few heavy funk tracks with rap from said Dogg, and to be honest I loved them! The Cd also has more than enough quality soul moments too, and I would rate this CD as one of their best ever. The album is the last group effort, which is a shame, and Charlie has well and truly made his mark as a solo artist now with four solo sets. We can hear where Charlie was heading on here. I don't mind as he can carry it off - goodness knows, everyone and their dog stole his vocal style in the 90s didn't they?! The first song on here is a hard piece of booty shaking G-Funk with plenty of - dare I cal lit such - OL' Skool sensibilities. The beats hit hard, the bass is low and the funky guitar licks act as a great setting and The Wilson Brothers are more than up to this late '90s Hip Hop Funk groove. Snoop drops his lyrics and does a great job I have to say - his southern, laid back nonchalant drawl is just right on this party groove.

I bet, though, many would prefer the more typical Gap cut, "Baby I Remember Your Face". Very 90s, yet still a classy, traditional Gap cut through and through. My favourite song is the KILLER midtempo "Good Old Fashion Lovin'". If ever the boys made a drop-dead essential track then this is definitely it! This is synthy soul with a chilled out muted trumpet - the track steals the show completely - but is spoiled with a remix at the end of the CD. Avoid that version! One for the kids! LOL. Saying that, the hard groove of "Scandalous" with it's House Of Pain sample hits as hard as a Cypress Hill cut but with real soul. Charlie lays down the law here and is aided by a scornful Snoop who drops in a few rhymes along the way. This is very modern but still very strong. "Messin' With My Flow" is more sparse and less bass-heavy and is a typical upbeat Gap effort, whereas "Style And Grace" returns to familiar territory. "Y2K" was a very strong album from a well-established group looking to develop and ply their sound to a younger generation. the great thing is, it worked well and still the more conservative ears such as mine had some more than credible moments. Don't let this one disappear.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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The Temptations - Phoenix Rising - 1998 - Motown

If we forget their "For Lovers Only" set for the moment, then I can say with some conviction that this is one of the best and most consistent Temptations albums since 1984's "Truly For You" (see 80s reviews). For Lovers Only was a masterpiece, and this set is as essential, but in a different way. Over 11 years have passed since I bought this, and I still cannot stop playing it as every track is strong, soulful and is aimed at the quality soul lover. Although the line-up changes like the weather, their unique sound remains the same and it is a tribute to the strength and commitment of Otis Williams to keep the flame burning following the sad and early death of Bass, Melvin Franklin. I cannot fault one single track on here - all tracks are worthy of the highest praise possible. A track that will both surprise you and excite you is the first track to be lifted as a single, which is "Stay". The Temptations actually sample themselves with the bassline and guitar riff of their 60s smash, "My Girl", and with the production magnificence of Narada Michael Walden they delivered a top-drawer and totally unmissable summertime smash. This is the sort of track (and album) that grabs your attention.

The following cuts will impress you greatly, too. If ballads are your bag then there are plenty, including a more downtempo reading of For Lovers Only's 1994 cut, "Take Me in Your Arms". This is mouth-watering soul at its very best. Terry Weeks of For Lovers Only has now been a fully-fledged member of the group for 11 years and he still fits like hand in glove. There are some classy dancers and midtempo songs, too that defies the current obsession with the tired hip-hop / RnB formula. The guys had obviously gone into the studio and took time to create a CD of enormous appeal, longevity and quality that I imagine that creativity was taken out of the hands of Motown executives!!! Check the amazing "My Promise". This actually features Theo Peoples on lead vocal, and was recorded prior to his departure. What a powerful singer he is. The Temptations have still to better this track this side of Y2K. This is the sort of soul CD that REALLY sorts the men from the boys! Do not delay in acquiring this album as you can find it dirt cheap on Amazon, and do NOT overlook it. Every track a quality cut and an album that cannot be beaten. SOUL HEAVEN.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

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Will Wheaton - Consenting Adultz - 1998 - Platinum Bass

We have been treated to two essential albums from this most impressive vocalist. This album was released in 1998, and was followed in 2005 by the equally impressive "Old Skool Soul" album. I was listening to Lincoln Adler’s "The Dream" CD (Chartmaker, 1996) recently and got to my favourite song which is "Show You The Way To Love". I have always raved about the song, and the great new singer that stole the show. Will’s vocals are very, very soulful, and his voice plummets as low as the late, great Isaac Hayes, and as such is a sheer powerhouse in his delivery. Although this set was released in 1998 I cannot believe how ‘now’ it sounds. I have spoken to Will many times since I discovered this CD, and I agree with Will that the set was, for all intents and purposes, ahead of its time. I can see this where the uptempo material is concerned as the style is definitely not out of place with today’s chunkier, funkier rhythms. I am also very impressed with the quality of the songs, easily faring well against the major labels. The general gist of the CD is summed up eloquently by the liner notes: "And remember listening to this album alone is not advised you must be in the presence of another consenting adult!" OK, this is a CD for horizontal dancing and no bones about it.

As for who is helping Will on this CD, that’s the best part. Lincoln Adler appears with the aforementioned "Show You The Way To Love", and we also have the VERY classy work of Raymond Jones with the KILLER ballad, "Baby Its On". Will, on this song, is as mature and adult as you can hope for and this song is pure CLASS. Do not miss this song whatever you do. If that is not enough then I implore you to check out the HEAVENLY final cut, "My Promise" which is delivered to us courtesy of producer S. Mayo who is a Chapter 8 affiliate and wrote the glorious "Give Me A Chance" of their "Forever" album. AND Chapter 8 member Valerie Pinkston can be heard doing background vocals. If that isn’t classy, then you tell me what is!
More classy ballad action can be found on track 4 which is complete quality – I like the occasional dramatic synth flourish which reminds me of Prince. "Let’s Do This" has a flavour of Christopher Williams vocals tied in with the sort of groove we heard on the last-but-one Manhattans CD such as "Can You Take It" which was a composition by … Will Wheaton! All these songs are just exceptional by anyone’s standards and personally I would buy the CD purely for any one of songs, but there is also the more uptempo material to get our teeth into. I was not expecting "Le’ Me Ride" or "Jiggy Love" to be anything worth reviewing but I couldn’t be any more wrong. The Isaac-inspired vocals on "Le’ Me Ride" complete with its funky, infectious bassline is little short of superb. Slinkier, and dirtier still in the beats department is "Jiggy Love". Not sure what Jiggy is, but Will seems to like it! ESSENTIAL 90s SOUL.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe