Two years after James "D Train" Williams and Hubert Eaves, III, hit us over the head with his 1986 Columbia Records debut, the stunning, "Miracles Of The Heart", they come back with another shot to the dome with the EVEN GREATER follow up, "In Your Eyes".
Released in 1988, James "D Train" Williams, and Hubert Eaves, III, take their classic blend of techno funk, catchy R&B melodies, and uplifing lyrics, to another level that SHOULD'VE taken them over the top !! ....... But as with all great albums, ....... it didn't :-( ..... Sadly, this would be the last album the two ever collaborated on, leaving little hope for mankind in the world of GREAT, ORIGINAL, REAL, AND POSITIVE MUSIC :-(
Collectively produced by D Train and Hubert Eaves, III, for Keep On Productions, Inc., it's an album that withstood the test of time, as it STILL sounds just as remarkable, as it did 23 years ago. Let's some check out some of the hightlights of a BRILLIANT recording that SHOULD'VE GONE PLATINUM, AT LEAST, EASY !, and see what Urban radio and the R&B community at large, at the time, missed out on in 1988. ..... because it sure in the hell didn't receive any kind of airplay here in NYC, and in D's own hometown :-( ......... what a shame ! :-( ......... ACTUALLY, IT'S PATHETIC & SAD TO BE HONEST WITH YOU !!!!!!! :-(
With Hubert handling most keyboard duties and programming, and James handling lead and background vocals, they both had a little help from some of the most accomplished and gifted east coast musicians and session vocalists, and they are as follows : Peter Freeman on keyboards, Lenny Pickett on sax, Hubert, III's son, Hubert, IV on bass guitar/drum fills, and session wiz Doc Powell on guitar.
In addition, you had Paul K. Johnson, II on keyboards. On the background vocal tip, you had BJ Nelson, Audrey Wheeler-Downing, Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle, Genobia Jeter, and last, but certainly not least, Curtis King, Jr.
{{{****PLEASE NOTE : AS WITH "MIRACLES OF THE HEART", THIS CD WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE AT OR AROUND AUGUST 26, 2011**** ...... SEE BELOW FOR THE LINK THAT'LL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO FUNKY TOWN GROOVES' WEBPAGE WHERE YOU CAN PRE ORDER THIS LIMITED EDITION COMPACT DISC. SO I EXTREMELY URGE YOU TO PLACE YOUR ORDER IN ADVANCE, AS I KNOW FOR SURE THIS TITLE WILL SELLOUT IMMEDIATELY !!}}}
Album's title track, and opener, "In Your Eyes" ~ They pretty much picked up where they left off 2 years prior, in that "The Train" kept the funk in full supply with all the electric bass guitar plucks and strums you could ever ask for. The synth horns, as well as the accompanying synthesizer parts, are in not in short supply as they, too, made their presense known with their "Horns Of Gabriel-esqe" effect.
The kick drum, snare, cymbal rides and crashes, the reliable cowbell, as well as the various percussions, kept the groove "on the one", the "4 on the floor" and "in the pocket". Lest ye not forget the awesome power of D Train's lead vocal performance as he flexes his gospel bred acrobatics in and around the melody like only he can do, and that is, ..... FONKAY ! The aforementioned background vocalists all sound remarkably tight as they lend their perfect harmonic bled to D Train's mighty roar.
"With All My Heart" ~ This song CLEARLY should've been touted as a single as it's the perfect summer jam ! What's so cool about this song are the slight synthesizer nuances of "You're The One For Me", if you listen carefully. The drum programming, like it's predecessor, never fails to deliver, as you can just 'feel' the power, and not only hear it. The bass synthesizer bounces, trip, and rolls the melody along, which segues into a head bopping affair.
The same talented group of backgrounds singers get to shine a little here as their collective harmonic blends, more than augment and support the dynamo lead vocal of James. Speaking of which, Train's lead vocal performance on this particular track is, to me, one of his finest ever, as he got to flex his full vocal dynamic range. The incredible Doc Powell rips into an rockish 8 bar guitar solo that just blow your socks off. This is the SONG to be added to ANY radio station's playlist, terrestrial, internet, or satellite, you can't just go wrong.
"Shadow Of Another Love" ~ I'm quite sure the 'Quiet Storm' programs at urban radio in 1988 HAD TO have added this song to their playlists ! There's ABSOLUTELY NO WAY they could have not !!! To me, it's the PERFECT BALLAD ! Not too slow, and not too fast, just right. The fluidly performed bass guitar lines, ..... what sounds like Simmons Electronic Drum Pads on the fills, ..... the light and dreamy synthesizer sustained chords, and fills .... the sensually plucked guitar notes, is what make this the quintessential song of choice for that late night rendevzous.
But how could ever call this song the "perfect ballad", and not associate a "perfect voice" to back that claim up ?? You cannot, unless it's Dee handling that lead vocal. His even tempered tenor, his vocal delivery, and just all around performance, exerts sheer brilliance ! That's the only way I could best describe it ladies and gentlemen ! If you think I'm kidding you, just go to link below after this review, and hear for yourselves, and you'll agree ! .... PERIOD ! .... THE SONG IS ALL THAT !"
Runner" ~ We pick up the pace just a bit here, and we don't mind either !"Runner" is an adventurous song of sorts in that it tells the tale of a man 'running' after a woman that refuses to give a brother the time of day. This track itself is an uptempo percussive ladened track that works completely in synch with the rhythm section.
That funky bounced bass synth is back everyone, and does it ever sound so good too !This time around the drum programmed snare just slaps your face with bombastic thunder clap ! On this mid tempo'd number we get to hear the James' overdubbed, and doubled lead and background vocals, as he perfectly pitched them to sound as if you're listening to a full multi membered choir. Nice song !
"My Friend" ~ OK, I have to give you a heads up when describing this song .... a disclaimer, if you will ..... (((((( IF YOU SHOULD HAVE LOST A LOVED ONE RECENTLY, OR IN THE PAST, AND THE SLIGHTEST "EMOTIONALLY MOVING" SONG WOULD JUST BREAK YOU OUT IN A CRYING FRENZY ?? ... WELL, YOU MAY NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO THIS SONG, ONLY IF YOU ARE THAT SENSITIVE :-(
........ I SAY THIS BECAUSE THIS SONG WILL BREAK YOU OUT INTO TEARS, EVEN IF YOU DID NOT LOSE A LOVED ONE RECENTLY, OR SOME TIME AGO ))))))) .............. Yes, that's how powerful this song is :-( ...... IT'LL JUST TAKE YOU THERE :-(
........ MALE OR FEMALE, I DON'T CARE WHO ARE !!! ........ PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE A MALE ! ....... I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE 6 FOOT, ELEVEN INCHES TALL, THAT SAYS TO HIMSELF, ..... "YOU'LL NEVER EVER SEE ME CRY BECAUSE I'M HE-MAN !! HA HA HA HAAAA !!!"
.......... BULLS**T !!! WHEN YOU HEAR THIS SONG, YOUR BIG ROBOT, CORN FED, TRANSFORMER ASS WILL BE ON THE FLOOR CRYING LIKE A BABY !! SO STOP IT !!! OK !! JUST STOP IT !!!!!!
....... AND DON'T LET ME CATCH YOU IN THAT MOMENT, I'LL LAUGH AT YOUR ASS PERSONALLY !! LOL !!! :-)
But seriously folks, you can't help but to be moved by the piano arrangement and it's performance. Then Hubert messes around and throw in a string synthesizer, that actually should've been done by a live string section ...
((((( FOR THE LIFE OF ME, I DON'T KNOW WHY THE A&R PERSON AT COLUMBIA RECORDS AT THE TIME, DIDN'T HEAR THIS HIMSELF, AND SAY TO HUBERT AND JAMES, AFTER PROBABLY HEARING THE DEMO OR FINISHED PRODUCT ........"LISTEN ! HUBE, DEE, I LOVE THE SONG, IT'S A GREAT SONG, AND WE DEFINITELY WANT TO PUT IT ON THE RECORD ....... BUT !!!!!! YOU GOTTA GET RID OF THOSE FAKE SOUNDING SYNTH STRINGS MAN AND SUBSTITUTE IT WITH A LIVE 40 PIECE ORCHESTRA. TELL YOU WHAT, HERE'S 85 THOUSAND DOLLARS, HIRE SOME MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC, GO BACK INTO THE STUDIO AND DO IT THE RIGHT WAY ! ..... C'MON GUYS, I THOUGHT YOU BOTH KNEW BETTER THAN THAT ?!?!?!?!" ))))))
...... not to take anything away from that a&r person, ...... BUT THAT'S HOW YOU A&R A RECORD !!!!!!
OK, with all that being said, just click on the following link, and preview, not only "My Friend", but the entire album. While you're there, preview samples of the 7" Edit and Dub Mix of "Runner", with the 7" Edit and Dub Mix of the album's title track "In Your Eyes".
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
A Soul Train appearance of D Train performing the album's title track, "In Your Eyes"
Another Soul Train appearance of D Train performing the album's second single, "Runner"
The commercial 7" vinyl of the album's title track, "In Your Eyes"
The commercial 12" vinyl of the album's title track, "In Your Eyes"
The 7" vinyl PROMOTIONAL COPY of the album's title track, "In Your Eyes"
Well, this is pretty much self explanatory. You don't need to be a rocket scientist to figure out what this is.
The commercial full length vinyl album version of, "In Your Eyes"
2 comments:
Damn Ran,
This review was so good that it makes me wanna go pull it out & listen to it. I Haven't heard it in at least ten years.
I appreciate you being knowledgeable, musical, and honest.
Thanks.
FYI- The person who originally signed us to Columbia left the company during the recording of this album.
Damn Ran, >>>>>> HEY HUBERT !
This review was so good that it makes me wanna go pull it out & listen to it. >>>>> THANK YOU ! I'M GLAD MY REVIEW INSPIRED YOU TO REVISIT THIS GREAT ALBUM YOU AND JAMES CREATED TOGETHER ! IT STILL TO THIS DAY HOLDS UP ! KUDOS TO YOU BOTH !!
I Haven't heard it in at least ten years. >>>>>>> I HOPE AS YOU'RE LISTENING TO IT, IT'LL TAKE IT BACK TO THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU HEARD IT IN IT'S ENTIRETY BACK IN 1988, AS WELL AS 10 YEARS AGO.
I appreciate you being knowledgeable, musical, and honest. >>>>>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KIND COMMENTS ! COMING FROM YOU, THAT'S A HUGE COMPLIMENT, AS I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED YOUR WORK DATING BACK TO YOUR TIME WITH JAMES MTUME & REGGIE LUCAS. THOSE RECORDINGS, TOO, STILL HOLD UP TO WHATEVER IS OUT THERE NOW.
Thanks. >>>>>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME SIR ! ... BUT, IT IS ME THAT MUST THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MANY YEARS OF GREAT MUSIC !
FYI- The person who originally signed us to Columbia left the company during the recording of this album.>> GOTCHA :-( .. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT ALWAYS SEEMS TO BE THE CASE WITH THESE MAJOR RECORD COMPANIES, THEN AND NOW, PARTICULARLY WITH A GREAT ARTIST, WITH GREAT SONGS !
HOPEFULLY, THESE REISSUES WILL REMIND THOSE THAT ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THIS ALBUM, AND THE "MIRACLES OF THE HEART" ALBUM, HOW GREAT THESE RECORDINGS TRULY ARE.
IN ADDITION, I HOPE A THE NEW GENERATION OF MUSIC LOVERS WILL COME TO EMBRACE SUCH FANTASTIC ALBUMS SUCH AS THESE.
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