Trinidad-born Timmy Regisford is one of New York’s best known soulful house DJs and producers and because his CV includes A&R exec job with labels like MCA, Motown and Atlantic the emphasis in his brand of house music is on the “soul” in “soulful”. In the ’90s he created the Club Shelter party nights which grew into a worldwide brand and most recently he been the musical brains behind one of the Big Apple’s most successful dance clubs Areacode. Now working with Tribe Records, Timmy has here crafted an album that is meant to reflect the sound he regularly plays out.
Key cut, therefore is the 14 tracker’s title cut. Featuring an emotive vocal from Lynn Lockamy, it’s a rumbling slice of good time soulful house designed to make “you feel good, make you feel nice” while you move “cheek to cheek, sex to sex”. ‘Soul Size Love (vocal from Jaidene Veda) offers more of the same – if a tad lighter, while ‘Masterpiece’ (Arnold Jarvis on lead here) is the other potential house classic. Most soulful tunes are ‘How Does This Feel’ and ‘Make Me Love You’. The former has Georgia Cee on vocals while the latter is a duet between Nickson and Amera Light. Those who like their house laced with gospel inflections should go straight to the opener – ‘Old Landmark’. Featuring the redoubtable Kenny Bobien, it’s packed with a hugely energetic call and response all “in the service of the Lord”. Regisford brings more variety to the set with a pair of Afrobeat dancers – ‘Sorrow Tears And Blood’ and ‘Beats Of No Nation’ – both featuring Fela Kuti, while the instrumental ‘Game’ is maybe the LP’s oddity – almost an electro track, but still spot on for the contemporary dance scene.
Therein lies the secret of Regisford’s success. His experience and pedigree allow him to take chances, secure in the knowledge that he knows the scene inside out. Here he successfully melds soulful house, Afrobeat, soul and gospel house into one heady mix.
(BB) 3/5
