Beau Williams - No More Tears - 1986 - Capitol

Like Barry Towler said about Kazu Matsui's album "Is That The Way To Your Heart" being that very extra close to his heart I say the same about Beau Williams album "No more tears". Although I can only say that about two tracks, as the album is very inconsistent in quality. But on these two Beau delivers a heart aching soul from heaven totally impossible to resist. Born in a religious and musical family in Houston, TX, Williams became a part of the rich Gospel tradition laying the musical fundament of his life that after a commercial detour brought him back to his roots in 90s. The album "No more tears" is from his commercial era on Capitol and was released in 1986.

The start is just stunning. The today classic soul dance gem "All because of you" just got it all. Williams powerful and sensitive voice leaves no one untouched. Next, "Been too long", a typical 80s track that really catches the feeling from back then. Let's skip the following two and focus on "Give me up" instead, yet another dance floor aimed track. My God! To be honest I cried like a baby when I heard this one for the first time (too many memories I guess) and that say a lot of this tune, as I usually don't cry often! Once again Williams song creates the entire experience and even though the music is great it is the voice that is completely mind blowing. It's just a fantastic achievement and one of the best tracks I ever heard and the obvious highlight on the album. The rest is descent stuff but Beau Williams did not after all release an all through solid album so let's leave them behind as well. Find the two and bring them to your heart and you'll see, SOUL!

Patrik Andersson

Patriks Soul Funk Special

Buy the album on Amazon

Mystic Merlin - Full Moon - 1982 - Capitol

CLASSIC, CLASSIC, CLASSIC. This was a part of a healthy wave of classic soul and funk album releases that EMI in Europe and the UKwere to be applauded for. A pity then that the series started and ended with those! Like I always say...if I had some clout...lol. Again, this has been fully remastered with 24-bit digitising. AND we have been spared the dreadful digipak packaging as well. No matter how well you handle the damn things they still get worn don't they?! This superb set from 1982 was the third and final set from this eccentric and colourful ensemble, and sales-wise it did not do at all well. Being classy that doesn't surprise me at all, when you think about the hype and pomp that Electro was receiving at the time. This set by Mystic Merlin, overlooked in the early 1980s, has now attained an almost cult status for cuts such as "Mr. Magician" and "Full Moon" and rightly so. This album sees the timely introduction of Freddie Jackson as lead vocalist and needless to say I ADORE his vocals. He shines on all tracks and needless to say the sublime musical backdrop complete with funky bass, horns and real rhythm. I feel that the early 1980s was golden period for our music, and this has hitherto been an unexploited era for reissue. Crammed with steppers and midtempo numbers this is really essential soul from the Capitol vaults.

I love every track on offer here, and feel that Freddie delivers the goods on all tempos. My standouts have to be the opener and cult favourite "Mr. Magician" and the ESSENTIAL stepper, "Full Moon", complete with freaky keyboards. Atmospheric and funky to the point of pain, this funky slap-bass driven groove is just amazing. This beats any of the drivel which passes as R&B today. With a bass line straight out of the Curtis Mayfield "You're So Good To Me" groove, you know that this is a showstopper. Did Freddie ever have an inkling about the fantastic career he would later have? The sumptuous ballad, "Your Love", resplendent in fender rhodes keyboards, with hindsight, offered us a glimpse of the man we would know and love as a very successful solo artist. I cannot recommend this album enough I prey that albums like this, if not afforded a proper hard-copy reissue, are afforded a fresh lease of life via digital downloading services. I implore those dealing with this issue to release the classic albums "New Dimensions" from the Dramatics as well as the Blue Magic album, "Welcome Back", from 1981. Go on - you know it makes sense!!!

Barry Towler,
The Vibe Scribe

Buy on Amazon

Blue Magic - Welcome Back 1981 - Capitol

This was a very odd album for the time, and to be honest I am surprised it was released at all. The album is really, really strong and rates as one of their best, most solid efforts but released in 1981 the set could easily have been recorded between 1974 and 1976. It really has that luxurious Philly feel to it from the start to the very end. Not a surprise when you see that the late, great Norman Harris, was responsible for production. Co-production comes from Then member of Love Committee, Ron Tyson. Recorded at Alpha International recording studios in Philadelphia the scene is set, and the stage is dressed with solid writing from the likes of Bobby Eli, Allan Felder, Richie Rome and Vernon Barrett. Quality assured. The dramatic opening song is worthy of any sweet Philly harmony group – the Delfonics would have been great on this! “The Oscar” thunders in with a crescendo of strings, then Ted Mills' sweet falsetto takes control over a very sweet Philly ballad.

The uptempo Thom Bell-like “Feeling The Love” cannot be beaten and the Spinners inspired “Who Could Ever Leave You” contains a beautiful rhythm and is laced with some gorgeous Philly guitar. Fans of their “13 Blue Magic Lane” set will immediately warm to the zingy “Welcome Back”, the pounding beat and darting strings and flute add extra magic. “Land Of Make Believe” has some Thom Bell overtones to it, and really sounds out of place with what many artists were creating at the same time. Today though, the set sounds fantastic. Timeless. My favourite song is the beautiful “Standin' On The Edge Of A Love Affair” which lets the guys interplay their vocal skills nicely. “Let There Be Love” and “All I Need Is You” are also must-haves. Both are ballads of the highest order. Strings, incidentally, are courtesy of Don Renaldo and backing vocals from Philly's finest – Carla Benson, Phil Hurtt and Barbara Ingram! This is, without doubt brilliant Philly soul from 1981! Do not overlook this remarkable album.

Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe

Buy on Music Stack