Willie Collins' dramatic explosion onto the soul scene back in 1986 was met with justified excitement. The single release, “Where You Gonna Be Tonight” instantly caught the imagination and attention of radio and the public alike and it was soon racing up and setting fire to a few dancefloors on both sides of the pond. This fresh talent, baptised with a righteous southern soulful base applied himself to that jam like no other. That song has to be one of the best dance tracks released in the 80s, and proves that soul and class are inseparable and could control a dancefloor. The resulting album did not fail to impress, and reviews were – for once – very positive and supportive. The year was 1986, the label was Capitol. Enough said. It also helped Willie's cause that the crème de la crème of the soul world were drafted in to steer the ship and they did a great job on a number of cuts. The Jolyon Skinner, C. Peyton and Cliff Dawson penned hit was overseen by the legendary Beau Huggins and man, you could tell. The wonderful Womack & Womack wrote “Restless” - an immediate favourite in their own style, and fit for the likes of Willie's towering talent. I had always suspected that this was a cut penned for Teddy Pendergrass; I can imagine him doing a grand job on this. However, production of this is by Willie himself! Willie also penned “First Time Making Love” along with W. Bascombe and this is such a classy, sexy song, far removed from his latest Gospel album – which, I hasten to add, is essential. Fans of the Hush sound and in particular “Rock Me Tonight” will find great comparison in “Let's Get Started” - a track that I felt should have been pushed a little more. Could have been a hit, that! We waited in vain for a second album...but here we are in 2008 with a new set. But that's another story!
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
