All broad minded soul folk know that the music they love is universal and a re-invigorated album from the wonderfully named CHERRY BOOP AND THE SOUNDMAKERS underlines that particular point.
The lovely Ms Boop is, I’m sure, Spanish…. her album was recorded in Girona – and she’s pacted with a French label (Ray Muse Records), but the soulful polish on the LP, ‘The Way I Am’, was provided in Philadelphia…. to be precise in the Grooveyard studios of a certain Bobby Eli, guitar maestro and one of the architects of the Philly sound.
The album was released in France in May and odd cuts were played by UK specialist DJs like Craig Charles. Musically the sound on the LP is retro pop soul. Ms B cites her influences as Tammi Terrell and Brenda Holloway and there’s certainly a big Motown influence going on – notably on a tune called ‘Weakness’, but the cherry on this Cherry cake is without doubt the wonderful ballad cover of Carl Douglas’ ‘I Want To Give You My Everything’. Producer Eli has drafted in another bona fide Philly legend to help our lady to deliver here, as the Delfonics’ William Hart adds his svelte tones to the track. The whole thing has the same delicious feel as Barbara Mason’s ‘Yes, I’m Ready’… hands up if you remember that one!
The album is being re-promoted and it’s worth investigating if only for ‘I Want To Give You My Everything’.
