This is an album that really deserves a place in your collection. Only available on vinyl or CD until now, iTunes now have this to download too! This is the first – and by far the best – collaboration between Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson, released late in 1984 on Columbia. This CD encapsulates everything great about soul and jazz at that particular time. No stones were left unturned in ensuring this collaboration worked. Not only is the songwriting second to none, the cream of the music world were there in force to create a lush, rich and velvety base for all to work from. John Robinson Freddie Washington, Paul Jackson, Ricky Lawson, Josie James, Lynn Davis, Robert Brookins and Don Freeman all come under the production skills of Stanley Clarke. After all these years I still cannot stop playing this album. There are five tracks on here that really, really are something else – and its not just Nancy Wilson who is on hand to take pride of place with lead vocals. Gospel singer Daryl Coley is a truly amazing talent – and I wish that he would record more studio-bound secular material like this. “Midnight Rendezvous” is just MAGIC. This is the epitome of classy music. The strings are perfectly orchestrated, the harp a tasteful and apportioned addition and the backing vocals straight from heaven. Nancy Wilson has rarely sounded better than this, and I consider it one of her crowning glories. Her take on Leon Ware's “Slippin' Away” is definitely her own interpretation. Though not as wonderful as the original, this is still a crackin' version. The sweet and wonderful “The Two Of Us” acts as a powerful catalyst for Nancy and Daryl to interchange their vocal skills. A sublime chorus and lush backing ensures there can be no disappointment. Nancy takes centre stage on “Never Wanna Say Goodnight”and again rates as one of her best performances as far as these ears are concerned. The KILLER is the gorgeous “Closer Than Close” which, if played in the right circles should create a bit of a buzz, even today. I have so much material that Ramsey recorded since 1984 but nothing can touch this – well, almost nothing! This uptempo groover with Daryl Coley on lead vocals is still, after 23 years in constant rotation in my house. It always reminds me of Christmas, too – a real, genuine, 'feel good' record that suits Daryl Coley to a tee.
Barry Towler
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