Evaluate: Dee C. Lee – Simply One thing (Acid Jazz)
★★★★ ½
The previous Wham! member and Type Councillor returns with Simply One thing – a shocking trendy soul traditional
As Dee C. Lee explains to Traditional Pop in our Simply One thing interview, there’s no large drama behind her absence since 1998’s third solo album Smiles was solely launched in Japan – Dee raised a household, and she or he simply didn’t really feel pushy sufficient to place herself ahead for a comeback.
Frankly, screw that: Acid Jazz have gotten themselves a steal in persuading Lee again into the studio, with Model New Heavies affiliate Tristan Longworth producing, plus a backing band comprising assorted BNHs and James Taylor Quartet musicians.
Destiny was partly answerable for the hook-up, as Dee ran into Acid Jazz boss Eddie Piller simply when a low-key Type Council documentary reunion made her do not forget that she loved singing in any case.
Nonetheless it’s come about, reward be that Simply One thing exists, as a result of it’s fantastic. It sounds prefer it may have been made at any level since 1972, timeless soul showcasing an opulent, adaptable voice seemingly preserved in aspic since Lee guested with Guru and Jamiroquai after The Type Council’s break up.
The one covers – Weldon Irvine’s joyous I Love You and Norman Connors’ equally celebratory membership anthem Be There In The Morning – each date from the 70s. It’s simple to image flute-driven breeze Don’t Neglect About Love and late-night temper On a regular basis Summer season subsequent to Rose Royce and Gladys Knight as classics which ought to by now have been on Cab Driver FM for many years.
Simply Attractive
The modern elements are primarily within the lyrics, Dee trying again on her profession within the righteous funk of Again In Time, whereas the atypically seething Trojan cautions: “Goodbye, you trojan horse-ass good friend” at a dishonest lover, admittedly over delicate piano and opulent bass fairly than any confrontational beats.
Co-writers embody Mick Talbot on the brassily swinging Stroll Away and Leah Weller, Dee’s daughter with Paul, herself an underrated singer. These intimate associates and Cher author Paul Barry appear to reinforce Dee’s imaginative and prescient, fairly than forcing their very own stamp on her, as the general traditional really feel stays constant. That Lee pulls off penning a brand new music cheekily titled For As soon as In My Life, a defiant funk holler, exhibits how assured she’s grow to be now she’s again within the recreation.
Solely acoustic ballad Mountains resembles a filler, however that’s a uncommon misstep. After so lengthy away, it’s outstanding how assured Dee sounds. Her songwriting matches her voice, which is a few feat. For somebody who appeared to epitomise the 20 Toes From Stardom maxim in Wham! and The Type Council, it is a late-blossoming traditional. Simply One thing? Simply beautiful.
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