Soulful House adds another powerful batch of tunes to the genre with The Rurals' Ocean album on Peng Records. The Rurals' composer Andy Compton joins production with Pirahnahead and sax player Charlie Hearnshaw to create this exotic project filled with sassy vocals.
The wonderful sounds of summer continue with the combo of sultry vocals and dominant production skills. Julie Monnin a.k.a. Ladybird and Diviniti joins voices on this soulful project. The excitement starts with "It's Magic", a relaxed, spirit-filled vocal joint, layered with the smoothness of Ladybird's delightful voice. "It's magic, the sun is riding high..." - the vocal coasts right into to grooves of Hearnshaw's sax play.
Ladybird strikes again with "Stay True". The vocals contain deep thought with Ladybird inspiring us to "stop complaining, wasting your time, your heart will grow, stay true to what you feel inside." Hey, I can live with that. I can also live with the way Hearnshaw smoked the saxophone. Andy Barton added to the production, which made this hit complete.
Diviniti laces the song "On My Way", with Compton's production talents joined along with Pirahnahead and Pete Morris. The congas and rhythm guitar takes this piece to the mountaintop. Hotness!
Diviniti and Pirahnahead are no strangers to working together. My favorite piece that comes to mind is "Find A Way" on Women on Wax Records. She has also worked with Compton on another of my favorites, "Where I Want To Be".
Andy Compton and Charlie Hearnshaw went to work on the LP title song, "Ocean". This work is a cozy, Sunday afternoon drive down Lake Shore Dr. Needless to say, this tune is relaxing and comforting to the soul of House Music. Turn the volume up and gather that warm feeling.
Review by: Lloyd Dev / August 2011
Available: Released August 12 2011 and available digitally from Juno Download and iTunes.
The Rurals: Ocean:
The Rurals ft. Ladybird: It's Magic:
The Rurals ft. Diviniti: On My Way:
| + | Track Listing | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 01: | The Rurals ft. Ladybird: It's Magic | 7:52 |
| 02: | The Rurals ft Jaidene Veda: Into Life | 6:43 |
| 03: | The Rurals: Ocean | 7:38 |
| 04: | The Rurals ft. Ladybird: I See Through You | 5:56 |
| 05: | The Rurals ft. Magic Soul: It's Hot in Africa | 7:19 |
| 06: | The Rurals ft. Ladybird: Gratitude | 7:07 |
| 07: | The Rurals: A Little Something | 6:24 |
| 08: | The Rurals ft. Diviniti: On My Way | 7:06 |
| 09: | The Rurals ft. Rowan: Summertime in My Mind | 6:59 |
| 10: | The Rurals ft. Irantzu: Hermosa Blues | 5:34 |
| 11: | The Rurals ft. Ladybird: Stay True | 6:56 |
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