Once a member of singing duo Coffee & Cream many moons ago on TV, and now resident vocalist on “Strictly Come Dancing”, Lance Ellington is certainly a man in the spotlight. His new album is SUPERB so check that out, but what I would love to do is re-awaken memories of an album which was criminally dismissed out-of-hand by certain scribes at the time of release. As this wasn't what was in vogue that particular minute, the album was slated at best and at worst completely ignored. If it weren't for the likes of Richard Searling I would not have known this superb album existed. Such a phenomenal talent and one of Britain's best soul voices EVER. Matched up with producer Peter Pritchard, and sent away to work at the legendary Flyte Tyme studios in Minneapolis with Steve Hodge, what was created in my humble opinion was a set of quality soul songs for the dawning of a new decade. My thanks go out to DJ Jeff Young for believing in this man. It is now 18 years on, and I am sure that many who snubbed the set then in favour of whatever was flavour-of-the-month would actually love it now, so I beg you to check out the sound samples...its classy British Soul with a US flavour. From the opening stepper, “Treat Me Right”and the Jam & Lewis styled “Time Won't Wait”we move to the KILLER ballad “Who's Loving You Tonight” which is another one of my all-time soul gems of the 1990s. Who in their right minds could have poo-pooed this? Unbelievable! This is major-league QUALITY soul and deserves a place in your collection. Trust me! “Pleasure And Pain” smacks of the finest Monte Moir production and so is as classy as anything that man has ever recorded. The stepper “Love Scared” is great – but was bettered as a remix here in the UK, and “Don't Ever Leave Me Again” ranks as high in my mind as “Who's Loving You Tonight” without question. The bonus cuts on the CD are also worthy, but my crème of this particular crop comes in the form of the socially mindful “It's Up To Us” - a discourse on the blight of negativity in society. Following this album came a less than soulful dance 12” on RCA, and for my money this album stands as solid as a rock in the career of this man. If you were inclined to ignore this album on the strength of reviews at the time, then please stop and take stock of it now. A classy CD from a classy singer. It stands the test of time – enough said.
The Vibe Scribe
Buy From Amazon
