Gilbert's avid bassist and individual vocal reinterpretations are making CD
worth hearing.
Dwight Quinn 2012-11-02
This album's title audible a heart-felt message calling for self-empowerment
and faith in your very being. James Gilbert sets out to cover a selection from
the Brook Benton collection,Rainy Night In Georgia a Brook Benton hit in the
heyday of popular song, alongside a handful of new and original titles.
James beam-up these tunes into a different time of R&B fusion that mid 80's
and 90's period of that so-called Solid-Gold R&B sound, with the band often laying
out the amplified versions of electricfying guitars,heavy-funky bass licks and
powerful dramatic keyboards. And Gilbert's individualist vocal reinterpretations
are well worth hearing. Long time industry songwriter and label owner Eugene
Smiley Sr.added a wealth of energy to the project with original songs that fit
the General R&B/Soul and Blues Public's ear.
Gilbert concentrates on the dancing-disco 1980's era of the project. Keep On
Keeping On opens with awsome words of inspirations, to pick up pieces and
keep your eye on the prize because their's a higher power with you. One other
track feature similar interjections of dialogue, establishing an wholesome aura
of radio broadcast play.James created an abundance amount of reverb, sonic
tweaks,druming and harmonics that are reminisence of the back sound of
groups like War.
James bass licks work in harmony with their electrified lead guitarist creating
some surprising combinations. There's a mellow deep baritone vocal rendition
on Brook Benton's Rainy Night In Georgia, set to a slow-smooth funk vibe.
Mark Gilmore delivers some firey prominent guitars fills on Keep On Keeping
On, but overall it's Gilbert who's always central, his lead vocals making powerful
statements.
Gilbert might get overly moody for Eugene Smiley's Blues This Morning, but
Gilbert gets you wrapped up in mood. Preparing to get his tour off and
moving by January, 2013 dressing up him and his band seems to be the
one thing on Gilbert mind these days. Help Me sports a stressed like
dialogue written by Eugene Smiley Sr. is one of several tunes mixing
hope with economic recession.
Gilbert is a mellowist, but he's coming down in a line of vocal naturalists
like Barry White. He breaks up the phrasing into his own,skatting through
humps and bumps on the path of mellowing sound,lands himself out in front
of the beat, making the verses float with the groove.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Rainy Night In Georgia 4:26
2. Keep On Keeping On 4:35
3. Blues This Morning 5:46
4. Help Me 2:59
QUINN RECORDS TM