Something Real All Around
Andre S. Grindle | Brewer Maine | 05/22/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a team Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson had already made a name for themselves as renowned songwriters on Motown. All the same it wasn't until this 1973 album that the duo actually ventured out on their own for a project. This album is very much in keeping with the later day Motown sound even if it wasn't recorded on the label. There's a strong sense of soul and intelligence in their writing a well as some degree of sentimentaltity. The title song i a beefy,gospel organ inflected romantic journey. It's the type of song one could easily hear Aretha doing during her prime period;even Valerie's spoken word secion has a sassy sense of sincerity. The guitar/bass interaction between Bob Babbit and John Tropea really brings the slippery,crawling funk of "Bend Me" to life. "Have You Ever Tried It" really milks the plucky Detroit style pop/R&B/funk to a tee as does "Can You Make It Brother". The latter song also has a light acoustic soul/singer-songwriter flavor to it that again was very much in keeping with some of the musical developments of the day. "I'm Determined" with Nick on the whistler on the intro and "Ain't That Good Enough" showcase a midtempo,breezy soul funk and as with most of the music on the album has some tasty fender rhodes textures. "I Need Your Light" again dips into the catchy,early 70's style uptempo soul/funk sound with a hook as strong and insistant as anything this duo ever have done. "Anywhere" is a wonderfully built song from Valerie soloing on voice and piano and than into this great percussion led funk arrangement. Anyone at all familiar with Ashford & Simpson's historic work at Motown in the 60's will find this album to be pure burried treasure. There are no dud songs whatsoever and it got the ball rolling on their career as artists outside of the production came. Each album to come would fine them growing and experimenting with their sound even though they'd wind up with yet more production duties in the future they would always continue with their own career as well. And,as it turned out that decision would,as with their Motown writing beforehand would effect the future work of others and resonate even to this very day."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1