Search - Soul II Soul :: Volume III: Just Right

Not enough Jazzy B

Enrique Torres | San Diegotitlan, Califas | 05/08/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Although not nearly as captivating as the monster disc "Keep on Moving" this CD deserves some attention; if for nothing else to give props to their earlier work. By the time Soul II Soul's London sound had crossed the Atlantic to American audiences they were becoming shadows of what they once were. This disc was their third American release and a very dissapointing follow up to some ground breaking music earlier in their shooting star career. This CD does not have the heavy , dense syncopated African influenced rhythms that took the dance music of the 90's by surprise. It has an airier light pop feel to it butvery soulful. Jazzy B's voice was the driving force behind the sound and was missing on many of these tracks. With his British accent and smoky vocals he was able to incorporate reggae style toasting for new audiences, inflecting a grittiness that meshed well with the dance muisc. He is featured on this disc on the songs "Direction," briefly on "Just Right" and takes the lead on "Intelligence" and "Everywhere." If you like the vocals of Jazzy B these are the only songs which feature his unique brand of "soft" rap that was very poetic and displayed the true essence of Soul II Soul. By the time this disc was released the group was fading into oblivion as Jazzy B was shifting his talents to the production side. The songs that feature other vocalists do not have nearly the impact of Jazzy B and actually give the disc the pop soul vibe. As a relic of a great band that had an impact on future sounds this disc was the end of a promising future. If you have never heard Soul II Soul begin with "Keep on Moving" and if you like that try the 10th anniversary release. This disc is not nearly as good a their earlier work but has some redeeming qualities."

Relaxing bit of jazzy pop!

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 04/28/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While not possessing a monster like "Keep on Movin'", the hit that brought Jazzy B and his group international recognition, this album is a decent effort, featuring great vocals from Caron Wheeler ("Take Me Higher"), Richie Stephens ("Joy"), Rick Clarke ("Just Right"), and Kofi ("Move Me No Mountain" and "Future"). Fine flute work by Gary Barnacle highlights both "Storm" and "Intelligence"."