Search - Caron Wheeler :: UK Blak

U.k. Blak is musically uplifting.

Cyncere Christian | Midlothian, Virginia United States | 05/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"U.K. Blak is classic Caron Wheeler.Her music is soulfully uplifting.The musical arrangement is soothing to the soul.You could listen to any song on the CD,and close your eyes and your heart and soul will take flight.I can almost guarantee that this CD will put you in the zone.I'm not sure if this review is helpful or not.All I can say is that this CD is a Must-Have!"

Soul, Stagger & Shine

David Avender | Los Palomitas, British Columbia, CANADA | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"
In 1990, when my needle hit vinyl for the last time in my spirit world, UK BLAK knocked the brown socks off of my skinny white feet. I could not be still; and from that point on, ROCK bands with their awful-long screeching guitar solos (with or without bloody violin bows), & long-haired, head-bobbin' heavy metal bands were all dead to me. My sound was now BLAK.



If the task of music is to inspire movement and dance, Caron Wheeler's first independent CD - outside of her most gratifying work with the SOUL II SOUL project - became the primer sound for all to follow. As Don Cornelius shall be my witness, I will find not a single mislaid note on this UK BLAK for there is not a flaw to be found.



The beats thunder from track to track with the smooth seducing voice that is Caron's alone. While produced with extroverted self-assurance, the beats are, to a song, beautifully tight and clean. They never combine to create that miserable cacophonic mess where lesser musicians find cover to hide their feeble-fingered elementary musicianship. The live instrumentation is up to the high standards of Caron Wheeler's voice.



But all of this authentic beauty is mere bedding for one of the most precious sounds I've ever heard in my life. Caron Wheeler elevates this album to a masterpiece; and as such, it is as fresh this moment as it when near 20 odd past. Her voice is rock solid as it rings out those sweet words. Her voice is the principal element that give UK BLAK its seamless consistency and perfected, unblemished beauty.



Come to the party well-rested and bare-footed. You WILL DANCE, for I have heard nothing to top the sound of Caron Wheeler's UK BLAK.

"

REAL MUZIK HEADZ KNOW!!...This CD Is Classic!!

MUZIK4THAPEOPLE!! | Orlando, FL | 11/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though it's rare to be able to find this CD now,

because it's (stupidly!) out of print...

(Capitol / EMI are you listening?)

You will discover a rare treasure here for those

of you who were either not around or who slept

on this CD when it first came out in May of 1990.



"UK BLAK", as one of the other reviewers said,

was one of the prototypical albums for what would

later become neo-soul and is filled with some great

vocal performances by Caron Wheeler, who is one of the great

song stylists of the last 15 yrs., but who absolutely

gets no props at all!

The stand-outs that still hold up today are

"Livin' In The Light", "Blue Is The Colour Of Pain",

"Somewhere" and "Don't Quit".

The other songs are still listenable today but the

production is very late 80's / early 90's.

I used to bang this joint big-time back then,

but a lot of people weren't feeling it

and it kinda got lost-in-the sauce!

But make no errors!...This album is a classic

and a lot of people have re-discovered it in recent years.

It's a keeper if you're lucky enough to find it.

I hope Capitol / EMI re-releases a remastered version

with the new 24-bit technology and maybe some bonus tracks.

Caron Wheeler gave birth to Erykah Badu, N'Dea Davenport, Floetry,

Zhane, India Arie, Laylah Hathway, Angie Stone and countless

others who came later in her wake and borrowed her

vocal licks and riffs.

This album is a testimony to her soulfulness,

rich fluidity and creativity!!---Enjoy!



"