The new album is Vol V.
> Even with the return of Caron Wheeler, Soul II Soul sounds tired.
I just picked up the disc yesterday, so I can't really give a good review.
and III; Vol IV was a comp of singles). But Jazzie and Co still aren't
on that higher level.
When I heard that Jazzie was working with Caron Wheeler again, I got
hyped -- who can forget "Keep On Movin'" and "Back to Life"?? I had
almost envisioned Soul II Soul as British equivalent to P-Funk; a
revolving crew of talented singers and musicians guided by Jazzie B's
vision of "a happy face and a thumping bass for a loving race" (I hope
I got the quote right).
I was perhaps most disappointed with Wheeler's vocals - sometimes she doesn't
sound too enthused. They should have featured Penny Ford more often;
she's only on one track. I also think Jazzie should have been more willing
to share the production duties, particularly with Simon Law, who did some
nice work on Chante Moore's album.
Some of the beats are okay (I like the instrumental "Zion"), the lyrics are
on the positive tip, and it appears that they somehow hooked up with
Juni(e) Morrison of Ohio Players and P-Funk fame, but the surest shot is
definitely "Love Enuff." Try to listen to it in the store before purchasing.
Just an opinion,
anthony