Can it really be three years since we had a new album from current king of classy, contemporary soul, CORNEL CC CARTER? The answer is, of course, yes! However, since the release of 2021’s ‘Next Life’, CC’s kept us on our toes with a series of singles – each one a soul chart topper!
First off, a couple of tracks from ‘Next Life’ were released as standalone singles, keeping Mr C s name in the spotlight. Then last year we were treated to some new music. In April ’23 there was the feel-good soul of ‘So Nice’ which was followed in July of that year by the Brian Power collaboration, ‘Sometimes’ – that one reminded lots of people of Drizabone’s ‘Real Love’ … yes, it was that good! In February of this year we all enjoyed Cornell’s easy-on-the-ear soul roller ‘Change’ while just a few weeks ago our man brought us some much needed summer, soul optimism in the form of ‘Everyday’.
All those new tunes heralded a full album – ‘Expressions Of Soul’ which finally gets a CD release on July 26th. The aforementioned tunes are all included, of course, and despite their familiarity they still hit the spot – ticking all the boxes that the discerning, sophisticated, modern/contemporary soul crowd demand ticking! That crowd will also revel in the similarly vibed ‘Never Gonna Waste It’ and ‘Wait On You’. For something a little different, ‘When I’m Around You’ is a touch funkier (wah-wah a go-go!) while on ‘Have We Moved’ Cornell moves away from romance and dancing to deliver some social commentary . The song’s his reflection on the state of the world as he currently sees it – and, sadly, the reversal of the progress we’d once made.
However, if you want romantic ballads, there’s plenty here to satisfy. ‘Earn It’ is properly sensual, ‘I Can’t Find A Way’ is introspective, while ‘Are You Alone’ will, I’m sure, invite comparison with the best of a certain Bobby Womack!
Any of the aforementioned cuts would be standouts on lesser albums, but ‘Expression Of Soul’ offers two 24 carat gems. First up there’s a cover of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Come Get To This’. Cornell doesn’t stray too far from the original template. His team tell us that he just wanted to honour it – and he does – wonderfully. Check out the sexy sax work from Eddie M. Then there’s the track I keep coming back to (and I’m sure you will too). It’s ‘Holding Back’ – interestingly a collaboration with UK soul man Julian Jonah. This is soul as it was, as it is and how it should be. The flavour of the tune is the Temptations during the Ali Woodson era. Here Cornell does sound remarkably like Woodson. Indeed he was auditioned by the Tempts to be his replacement. The Temptations’ loss is our gain! This ‘Holding Back’ is one of the year’s best soul tunes and it actually appears on the album twice – the original and an extended mix! Another bonus is a special mix of ‘Everyday’. Thus ‘Expressions of Love’ offers a mighty, generous 17 tracks and there is absolutely no filler. It’s top quality modern/contemporary soul all the way.
This unmissable collection is out on CD July 26th. Vinyl and digital will be available from 23rd August. The label is Expansion and remember here art SOULJAZZFUNK we were amongst the first media to “discover” Cornell. Check our 2018 interview with him – interesting! Go to https://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/interviews/just-one-love-the-cornell-carter-interview/
(BB) 5/5
