In the late 90’s we saw countless UK projects trying to achieve something which to me was ridiculous – trying to sound American (in the case of most UK rappers – literally).  The results were there for all of us to see; Music videos looked cheap, bad mastering most of the time, hollow instrumentation and empty production.  I never really understood why we were trying to emulate something which we had no reason to. 

Unfortunately – even in 2008 – we are still struggling to uncover the volume and quality of UK Soul music that our nation can most certainly produce.  Still we remain hopefully that the cream will rise to the top and every now and then we get treated to a little gem of a collection from our own shores.  

This year Reel People follow-up their debut album with ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’.  A set fused by different styles and genres glued together by a delectable selection of guest appearances. Reel People link with Tony Momrelle & Imaani (Incognito) for the first time on an 80’s throwback boogie jam ‘Amazing’, one of three tracks featuring Momrelle – none more impressive than the exquisite ‘It Will Be’ – a soft vocal entry builds into a beautiful broken background-or-boogie record.  I can see house guys, RnB and soul heads, and even the acid jazz fraternity jumping all over this.

Variation comes with Joy Rose sweeping through the uplifting ‘Perfect Sky’ giving you the gap in the set that you didn’t realise you wanted, much like ‘Rise & Fly’ featuring the vocals of Vanessa Freeman. Then we have a very surprising change in direction that I shall not describe myself – I’ll take the words straight from the press release.  “Taking one of several shifts in style, Reel People’s very own Mike Patto steps up for ‘Ordinary Man’ which sounds like the lost classic that Hall & Oates or Steely Dan never wrote.” Couldn’t have put it better myself guys.

The album also introduces new guest vocalist Darien (straight out of the NY underground soul scene) who appears on one of my standout tracks ‘Upside’.  His soft vocals sit nicely atop the 100bpm club Jam and the first track on the album ‘Alibi’ – a cocktail of Latin beats and Soulful vocals. We even have Omar appearing on the set for the excellent ‘Outta Love’ and its reprise to finish off the album much like he would finish a set at the Jazz Café.

Right now, I seem to be listening to (and reviewing) countless multi-artist albums (The company we are talking about here is Jazzy Jeff’s ‘Return of the Magnificent’ and ‘The RH Factor’).  Now it’s very easy for a music lover from London to throw this one near the top of the pile for the obvious reasons – but I’m going to that without prejudice or bias.  ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’ epitomises UK Soul music at its best. Simple.

Words by VolatileSoul
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Press:

On February 25th 2008 Reel People present ‘Seven Ways To Wonder’, the follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Second Guess’. The new longplayer has upped the ante: a heady brew of the many ingredients necessary to concoct an album worthy of a claim to their position within the classic UK soul pantheon. Reel People’s core members are Oli Lazarus and Mike Patto.

The album kicks off with ’Alibi’ and introduces new guest vocalist Darien. Coming from Mount Vernon in New York, Darien has emerged from NY’s underground soul scene and is set to wow fans with his stunning tone and warm vocals. With hints of Stevie in his heyday and paying homage to Sergio Mendes, ‘Alibi’ is a wonderful piece of Latin-edged soul which will instil euphoria in even the most jaded of souls.

The legendary Omar comes next for ‘Outta Love’, a Bill Withers-influenced cut with a soca groove. ‘Amazing’ is an updated take on the classic 80s soul vibe, in the vein of Maze or Shalamar and also Reel People’s first hook-up with singers Tony Momrelle & Imaani (Incognito). London favourite Vanessa Freeman returns with ‘Rise & Fly’ and takes you deep into a hypnotic journey that wouldn’t be out of place as a Bond theme tune. Tony Momrelle is then on board again for the classic ‘It Will Be’.

With a vocal performance that sends shivers down your spine and a production that would not be out of place on a George Benson record, ‘Perfect Sky’ allows Joy Rose some beautiful space and time on an ideal summers-evening. Taking one of several shifts in style, Reel People’s very own Mike Patto steps up for ‘Ordinary Man’ which sounds like the lost classic that Hall & Oates or Steely Dan never wrote.

Original singer/songwriter Dyanna Fearon pens the sultry ‘High’, whilst live band member Tasita D’Mour works it out on the uplifting ‘Anything You Want’. Darien returns for a second outing on the uber cool ‘Upside’ and finally ‘Love Is Where You Are’, featuring Tony Momrelle, is reminiscent of a Quincy Jones record from that classic 70s era.