The 1990s was a weird old time, and the music game had changed immensely. Literally overnight, the goalposts had changed; the decks swept clean. Artists struggled to find a place in this cold, harsh new environment and those who should have been supporting the quality were not. One album that did seem to register on the scale was this wonderful solo set from Earth, Wind and Fire legend, Philip Bailey. How could anyone NOT love this album? It trod the line between quality and trend perfectly and top-dog talents such as Chuckii Booker, Robert Brookins and Brian McKnight were on hand to produce the set and boy did they kick some ass! It's an exceptional album, and bar two odd and somehow out-of-step PM Dawn productions, the album stands strong today.Chuckii Booker is a phenomenal talent and his deep bass-filled head-nodder, "Stay Right Here", starts up the album in a strong manner as it means to go on. Such a strong track and one that suit's Bailey's tenor to a tone. The brilliant Robert Brookins produced "Summer Love" is a track that is simply adorable and beyond reproach. Brian Mcknight's "Here With Me" is upbeat and jaunty, and one can hear throughout that this is Brian McKnight through and through. His presence on backing vocals is great to hear too. He provides the saxy ballad "I'm Ready" which is simply amazing, and "Crazy Things You Do For Love", a collaboration with Robert Brookins, is also essential. My favourites are at the end of the CD, however. First up is the cracking ballad "Yours", a scorching duet with the sexy vocalist Nadirah Ali complete with synth and sax, and follwed by the brilliant foot stomper, "What's Missing" - a chunky Chuckii Booker number which will still get the bass-pins rattling. So, although the Man has produced a number of solo sets - all containing real timeless gems, as far as I am concerned, this 1994 effort is the most solid of them all. Classy 90s soul.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
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