Japanese-based Sweet Soul Records is on a mission to reintroduce the essence of classic soul and R&B for a worldwide audience, performed by fresh homegrown talent. Soul Over the Race Vol. 1 meshes seventies and eighties hits (familiar and obscure) with a few soft jazz twists. Frankly, it can often be excruciating hearing cover versions of back-in-the-day urban standards. With S.O.T.R. however, the results are surprisingly pleasing.
The vocal star of Soul Over the Race Vol. 1 is SAK, whose dominating soulful presence breezes through the Anita Baker smooth jazz smash, "Caught Up in the Rapture" and R&B/dance diva Jocelyn Brown’s biggest hit, "Somebody Else’s Guy." Hiroshi Yoshida’s pours his sweet tenor all over "Georgy Porgy," a vast improvement over the original version by Toto. The Five Stairsteps’ signature hit, "O-o-h Child," by Aloha Ichimura is transformed into a stylish contemporary jazz makeover.
Despite the shortcomings on "Until You Come Back to Me" (Aretha Franklin) and "I Just Wanna’ Stop" (Gino Vannelli), Soul Over the Race Vol. 1 does a credible job in bringing sweet soul music right back where it belongs.
Vocals: 3.0 stars
Lyrics: 3.5 stars
Music: 3.0 stars
Production: 3.5 stars
SoulTracks Call: Recommended
By Peggy Oliver
