THE JAZZ CHILL CORNER NEW RELEASES - THE SOFTONES, CHAKACHAS, BRAINSTORM |  |
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Posted: 01 Nov 2013 01:53 PM PDT
THE SOFTONES - THE SOFTONES / BLACK MAGIC
Harmony soul heaven – and two great albums back to back in a single set! The initial Softones album is a stellar first set from The Softones – labelmates of The Stylistics in their early years, and a group who really share a similar sense of east coast harmony soul! There's a nicely fragile approach to the group at all the best moments – a style that's better than shakey indie soul, but which is still quite personal – even amidst some really well-penned charts by Van McCoy! The strings have all these sweet and subtle touches and changes – never detracting from the vocals, but instead really underscoring the unique appeal that makes the group this great. A wonderful set to file next to your New Jersey classics by The Moments and Whanauts – with tracks that include "The First Day", "Extra Ordinary People", "Why Why Baby", "Never Let A Woman Like That Go By", and "Everybody Knew But Me". Black Magic is a funkier set than the first one by The Softones – and a record that has the group picking up a bit more confidence in their groove! The style is never too tight or slick – and even amidst full arrangements from Horace Ott, the vocals really come through nicely – mixing with the studio help at a level that recalls some of the hipper Philly productions of the time, or maybe the second generation of New Jersey group soul. Those fragile lead vocals still entrance us wonderfully – and titles include the Landy McNeal tracks – "Maybe Tomorrow", "Laundromat", and "Call It Love" – plus versions of "That Old Black Magic", "Love Story", and "Love Child". ~ Dusty Groove. |
