By now most soul collectors will know that veteran soul man BILLY VALENTINE is lining up a rather special album for release later this month; ‘Billy Valentine and The Universal Truth’ – a long player whose aim is to offer songs of significance and provocation… cover songs that reflect the social, racial, political and economic turmoil that we all currently struggle with.
The album has been flagged up via a brace of singles – a sensitive reading of dear Curtis Mayfield’s ‘We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue’ and an equally disturbing track – a cover of Gil-Scott Heron’s harrowing ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’. Now just prior to the album’s release the label Acid Jazz/Flying Dutchman, have issued another single – a powerful cover of Eddie Kendricks’ song ‘My People…Hold On’. This haunting reconstruction of Eddie Kendrick’s 1973 tune feels influenced by Charles Stepney’s work with Rotary Connection, most noticeable in the biting guitar work and the eerie vibes which enhance Billy’s impassioned vocals.
Billy Valentines’ My People…Hold On’ is out now. Full album release March 24th. Watch out for an upcoming review and interview with the singer
