By common consent one of the best UK sourced soul albums of recent years has been DOWN TO EARTH’S ‘Still Riding High’. The 2021 LP seemed to take everyone by surprise – surprise at the soulful quality that vocalist Laurence ”Lol” Thomas Williams and guitarist Stevie Paul delivered. We learned that though the Down To Earth brand was relatively new, the genial East Enders have quite a track record between them. They were previously in a group called The Unforgettables and they’ve supported likes of Mike and The Mechanics, Incognito, Rick Wakeman, Mary J Blige and classical percussionist Evelyn Glenny. Session wise they’ve worked with people like Bobby Brown, Blackstreet, Peter Andre and Booker T. So maybe not so surprising that they delivered real quality. (Check out our ’21 interview with ‘em… https://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/interviews/gettin-down-to-earth/ )
Since the album we’ve enjoyed four “new” singles from the Down To Earthers… a pacey ‘What We Gonna Do?’ which featured guest vocalist, Stacey Lee Cuddy, a ballad ‘My Guiding Star’, a Maze-flavoured ‘In The Shadows Of The Night’ and a lovely, down-tempo groove ‘You Keep Loving Me’. With each of the singles we were told that they were heralding a “soon-to-come album”. However, for all sorts of reasons (mainly health issues) the long player’s release was pushed back and back. However, the good new is that the album, ‘Love Life And Harmony’ will be good to go this very Friday, 23rd February!
Has the wait been worth it? For sure!!! ‘Love Life And Harmony’ continues the contemporary, grown-up soul trajectory that ‘Still Riding High’ established. The four singles are all included, of course, and they’ve lost none of their appeal … quality songs don’t, do they?
What of the new tunes? Well there’s something for everyone. ‘That Loving Touch’ has a jazzy 80/90s feel; the electro-flavoured ‘Girl’ builds and builds; ‘Waiting No Longer’ is a property soulful ballad with guest vocal from long-time band collaborator, Bobbie Shepherd; ‘Beautiful Day is sweet and laid back; ‘What We Both Been Waiting For’ is another building ballad; ‘Everything To Me’ is another romantic outing with a pleasing smooth jazz feel; and, finally, there’s a crisp ‘Perfect Company on which you can feel the palpable chemistry between Lol and duet partner Bobbie Shepherd whose sweetness is a perfect foil to Lol’s gritty delivery.
So, yes, to reiterate; ‘Love Life And Harmony’ has been well worth waiting for. Expect this one to dominate the UK soul charts over the next few months while soul radio jocks will find an embarrassment of riches to choose from!
An embarrassment of riches too on ‘Still Riding High’ which, if you missed, is now being offered by Izipho Soul at a rather special price. The classic vinyl LP is available for a bargain price of £5 (+p&p).
This offer runs until 29th February or whilst stocks last! Learn more @ https://www.iziphosoul.com/down-to-earth—still-ridin-high-vinyl-lp-special-offer-5-151-p.asp
