Hard to believe this fine album is 20 years old this summer. I think that this is Miles Jaye's finest work to date. "Irresistible" has to be the perfect tag for this album. I can remember the HOT Summer of 1989 very, very well, and getting tapes posted of Richard Searling's radio show every month. The day I heard this album on one particular show I was so taken aback that I was clamouring for the album there and then. Once I had it in my hands the album was played to death. I still play it on a regular basis, on CD now, though, even more than any other albums he has released. Miles Jaye is the epitome of a REAL soul singer. Powerful, masculine, virile and unafraid to allow the sheer force and power of his vocal chords to shine through. Not unlike his mentor, Teddy Pendergrass, this man was well versed in matters of the heart and crafted tunes to dance to and make love to in equal measure.From starters orders the bar is raised exceptionally high. The title track shoves aside the New Jack Swingers with no mercy and lets all and sundry know that a real singer is here with real music. "Next Time" is hot enough to scorch the turntable, CD player - whatever...such a wonderful voice and such a sexy, well paced ballad. Top-draw if ever I heard it. One track that really gets me going is the KILLER "Slo-Dance", a song that slowly builds up to a pounding ballad with gritty vocals and plenty of warm, summery, synth to warm the cockles. As I write this, listening to this song - this album - I am choking up. God, the power of great soul music! Happy memories and wonderful music, it's all we need. A song that has me in pieces is "Message" - possibly the finest thing the great man has ever recorded. Amazing. Mind you, the dramatic "Interlude" and "I'll Be There" are equally as superb. I used to whack the volume up up on this and soak up the music and the hot sun. Happy days. However, the song that most will connect with is the beautifully fresh and evergreen "Heaven". Music like this cannot be beaten. Simply wonderful, and well worth seeking out should you not own it. Miles Jaye's finest moment.
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
The Vibe Scribe
