He's back!
Olukayode Balogun | Leeds, England | 06/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember reviewing Roberson's 2001 CD Esoteric last year and saying that he reminded me of Anthony Hamilton, Donnell Jones and I third man I couldn't put my finger on at the time. A fellow reviewer subsequently (and helpfully) pointed out that it might be Dwele and he was absolutely right. Roberson and Dwele do sound very similar but I believe Roberson has a bit more punch. He seems prepared to take his music to a more varied number of places, be more experimental, if you will.
Well, he's back with a new set and it's another breath of fresh air. All the songs on this album speak of one personal experience or the other. He co-writes the entire album and there are good quality songs here, full of originality. He uses a variety of producers but they all do a very admirable job. But it's all about Roberson's voice, really, at the end of the day. This is a man who actually SINGS! A genuine soul singer who sings from the heart. The man has an air of love, joy and sheer energy about him that I feel blowing over me every time I listen to his music. He brings a smile to my face every time.
I love the sax solos on the opener, "Music", played by Jeffrey Jones & Harold Felder. "Been In Love..." (Featuring Phonte from Little Brother) is another favourite as is the deep slow burner, "Pen Just Cries Away".
I'm also really feeling "Only For You", "Too Soon", "If I Had A Chance" and "Right Or Wrong".
But I can't fault any of the songs, to be honest. This is exactly the kind of thing I look for when I buy a soul album. Interesting and uplifting songs that manage to stay clear of the gutter...
Which is why I was a little concerned when I saw the "The Baby Song" listed on the album. I listened with my heart in my mouth but I needn't have worried. This is not a song about making babies, (not that I'm suggesting there's anything wrong with that. I'm not a prude; I've grown rather weary of songs that seem to be all about sex. Maybe it's an age thing?); no, it's actually a very sweet and heartfelt song in honour of his brother-in-law and his wife's (at the time) imminent new arrival. According to the inner-sleeve notes, Roberson wrote and recorded the song before the child was born and apparently, while a girl was expected it was a boy that actually turned up!
... so maybe I'm the one who needs to clean up his mind?
I was positively gleeful to discover that "Couldn't Hear Her" (Featuring Curt Chambers) samples Pat Metheny Group's "San Lorenzo". Any man (or woman) who samples Pat Metheny is always a winner in my book. The song features a wonderful guitar solo from Mr Chambers.
And finally, I simply adore the jumping bonus track "The Smoke Signals - Man Who Had It All", a song that tells a cautionary tale that all of us who find it difficult to be satisfied with what we have, might do well to observe.
I'm a huge fan of this man and he's one of the few dudes out there who are, thankfully, still keeping the flame of real modern soul alive. He's definitely another one of my 'Unsung Heroes', bless him.
"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1