Search - Nicole Willis & the Soul Investigators :: Keep Reachin' Up

If this ain't soul (don't know what is)

Yiannis Psaroudis | soho, ny | 07/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"no, you have not stumbled upon a lost millie jackson or martha & the vandellas album...this is pure nicole willis at her finest. though she's long been grouped with other british vocalists-for-hire, such as shara nelson and carleen anderson, _keep reachin' up_ finds willis stretching her soul/funk wings and taking flight. if i'd not known, going into it, that this were a nicole willis album, i'd have been racking my brain trying to figure out which 70s funkstress to credit for this gem. while the music is 100% old-skool soul, her vocals recall everybody from dionne warwick to adeva, demonstrating the incredible emotional range willis brings to the table. willis howls ("keep reachin' up"), coos ("blues downtown") and wails ("no one's gonna love you") with the best of them, it's just too bad she doesn't get more props, on this side of the pond."

Refreshing

FE | Toronto, Ont. Canada | 08/23/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a very enjoyable cd. New material with a great appreciation of motown and funk, with a euro groove. Will definitely put a smile on your face and a nod to your neck."