Billed on the LP sticker as “The Voice of 1987” I was not going to disagree with that. Bert Robinson had but two albums for Capitol in the late 80s, and from there he seems to have fallen off the radar. I imagine that the mass lunacy that afflicted the music scene in the early 90s (continuing unabashed to this day) put paid to any further quality outings this man may have had. Of the two albums I would argue that this was more consistent from “I Promise You Love” though that album has some SERIOUS killer moments courtesy of Attala Zane Giles! It's Giles that oversees the blinding first track, “Heart Of Gold”. I remember hearing this for the first time and wanting a copy to fall through the letterbox right there and then! Good old Andy Peebles on Radio 1. Interestingly a certain Stan Sheppard produced a number of songs but these failed to impress me. How very soon things would change! It's “Just A Little Love” that next got my attention. Nick Johnson is the fine producer on this classy slice of late 80s soul music. So typical of what was fashionable at the time, this big and hearty production has Bert dropping his unique vocals expertly. Definitely one of THE voices of 1987.A track I still give an airing to today is the Lionel Job and Preston Glass produced monster, “You Turn Me Out”. This is what I call a confident and strident groove: a meaty bass line, plenty of action and a strong, deep growling vocal that is enough to peep the clothes off many an appreciative female listener...Ne-Yo anyone? No, I thought not. See why I love the 80s so much? Classy, individuality and no-nonsense soul from a time when Major labels gave a damn. My final choice is the superb “Still Waiting” which was written and produced by One Way members Al Hudson, Dave Robertson and Irene Perkins. Their own effort for Capitol in 1988 was a major disappointment with only “U, Me And The Other Guy” doing the business. If only the set had contained gems such as this then I would have been a happier man. Released on LP and CD early in 1987, the CD comes with a bonus track - “All The Way With You” which was a feature on her own “Blu Blowin'” set which was released at the same time. I heartily recommend this album for a number of reasons. It's production and execution is of the highest possible standards, and the set simply drips soul. Those who deride the 80s for being soulless and mechanical need to check this out.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
