1989's "Underexposed" stands, unbelievably, as this ultra-talented man's last album. Although still active in the studio - more recently with Freddie Jackson - I crave a NEW album from the man. The 90s saw a raft of talented, able artists disappear off the radar and as far as I am concerned it's about time they returned to the studio and give us what we want and not what the accountants at the record companies think will make a quick buck. Paul Laurence has style. His work is so unique and specific to him that we can know, within seconds of hearing a new track, that he has had a hand in it. Now that's what I call talent. Paul's style suits me in so many ways. He can turn out a thumping dancer at the drop of a hat and can turn on a sixpence and offer a burning hot ballad fit for the best, smoothest balladeers of our time. Think Eric Gable or Freddie Jackson. Yet on both tempos we have an immediate, undeniable sense of Paul Laurence.This means that he pours his heart and soul into what he does and his very essence is in there. The likes of Leon Ware, Jon Lucien and James Ingram are of this ilk and mark Paul out as something special indeed. And that brings me to this CD. I may be reading - or listening too much into the album, but it appears very personal and autobiographical and as such bittersweet. And all's the better for it. For this outing I would like to bring 3 songs to your attention. "She's Not An (Ordinary Girl)" - an ass-kicking puny groove, sweet vocals and quirky lyrics such as "friends, homeboys and countrymen...lend me your ears..." Ha! Very good indeed and a real foot stomper. Now... a mighty fine track can be found in the thumping beat ballad,"Sue Me". This is a song to whop up the volume and let the bass-pins rip. Brilliant. Check it out below. The pain expressed in "She's Gone" really opens up a door into the soul of a hurt, disgraced man. The lyrics are so poignant and the haunting backing vocals - typical of a Laurence ballad - are pitched just right. This tale of a tortured conscience is precautionary. The motto is: don't covet another man's rhubarb!
