Overview: 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 Basic Pop in our Simply One thing interview, there’s no huge 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 chargeable for the hook-up, as Dee ran into Acid Jazz boss Eddie Piller simply when a low-key Type Council documentary reunion made her keep in mind that she loved singing in spite of everything.
Nonetheless it’s come about, reward be that Simply One thing exists, as a result of it’s fantastic. It sounds prefer it might have been made at any level since 1972, timeless soul showcasing an expensive, 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 straightforward to image flute-driven breeze Don’t Overlook 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 Beautiful
The up to date features 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 buddy” at a dishonest lover, admittedly over delicate piano and luxurious bass moderately than any confrontational beats.
Co-writers embrace 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 boost Dee’s imaginative and prescient, moderately than forcing their very own stamp on her, as the general traditional really feel stays constant. That Lee pulls off penning a brand new track cheekily titled For As soon as In My Life, a defiant funk holler, exhibits how assured she’s develop into 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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