Drizabone Soul Family-All The Way (Album Review)

Drizabone Soul Family-All The Way (Dome Records)

If there is one song that has probably been requested more than any other over the last twenty years on the more soulful dancefloors of the nation, it would be the (almost) one hit wonder “Real Love” by Drizabone, a track released in the early 90’s that seemingly came from nowhere but went on to become a massive summer hit.

The band went on to release a few more less successful singles and one critically acclaimed album ‘Conspiracy’, as well as remixing hit tracks for the likes of Lisa Stansfield and Shanice (the #2 “I Love Your Smile”), but seemingly then disappeared.

As we all know there have been a few soulful families over the years, The Jacksons, The Isleys, Five Star (?), but the Drizabone Soul Family are different. Original band member Billy Freeman has revived the name and recruited some of the UK’s strongest (some previously unsigned) vocalists (to give them their full credit, namely Denise Gordon, Nataya, Anneka Johnson, Natalie Valentine, Keni Stevens, Sh'niece McMenemin) to join his family and perform with him on 11 perfectly crafted tunes that reflect every angle of the soul music genre.

Now be aware that in a time when R&B rules the charts and airwaves, what we have here is ACTUAL soul. First single “I Fell Apart” is an indication of this. Reminiscent of Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be”, like much of the album, it is a summer groove that sticks in your head from first hearing. You can tell that much of the set has been inspired by classic albums like “Off The Wall” and has elements of everything from Northern Soul, TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia) and past Brit-Soul stars like Loose Ends and Brand New Heavies.

Standouts on the album are “Love Me Like A Lover Should” & “No More Sorry” (a more pop-soul track that wouldn’t even sound out of place on the latest Kylie album), both of which are voiced by Anneka Johnson. Also of note is “Lovin’ U” a real old school duet, complete with talky intro between Nataya & Keni Stevens, which harks back to the times of Diana & Marvin or Alexander O’ Neal & Cherrelle.

In fact it is new talent Nataya that brings the whole thing full circle with the albums final track, a 2010 reworking of the aforementioned “Real Love”, which is only subtly updated and will not upset the true connoisseurs and fans of the original.

Overall this is an easy listen and much of it is radio friendly, a fact that has been reflected by it being chosen as album of the week on both Radio 2 and Smooth FM. If you want something cool to chill out to in the Summer sunshine, you could do a lot worse than give this album a go.