This is the Average White Band's most mature and musically sophisticated studio album. If you like AWB for their radio-friendly funk workouts and catchy melodies, you would probably be happier with their earlier albums "AWB" and "Cut the Cake," or their "Best Of" compilation. "Soul Searching" has more of an adult contemporary sound, better suited for late-night Quiet Storm listening than for partying. The highlights of this album are the classic slow groove gem, "A Love of Your Own," and the breezy and jazzy uptempo "Queen of My Soul."
There are a couple of toe-tapping, head-bobbing funk songs here, most notably "Going Home," a great horn-dominated instrumental in the tradition of "Pickin' Up the Pieces" and "Cut the Cake." But even the midtempo numbers like "Love Your Life" and "I'm the One" have a jazzier, more adult feel than in AWB's earlier albums. As usual, the band is solid throughout, and the vocals, while thin and "average white," are competent and sincere. If you favor the jazzier, mellower side of AWB, this is the album for you. (by K. Oda)
Roger Ball (keyboards, saxophone)
Malcolm Duncan (saxophone)
Steve Ferrone (drums, percussion)
Alan Gorrie (bass, guitar, vocals)
Onnie McIntyre (guitar, vocals)
Jim Mullen (guitar)
Hamish Stuart (bass, guitar, vocals)
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Seymour Barab (cello)
Kenneth Bichel (synthesizer)
Michael Brecker (saxophone)
David Brigati (vocals)
Eddie Brigati (vocals)
Ronnie Cuber (saxophone)
Jesse Levy (cello)
Carlos Martin (percussion)
Barry Rogers (trombone)
Alan Schulman (cello)
Marvin Stamm (trumpet)
Tracklist:
01. Overture (Ball/Duncan/Ferrone/Gorrie/McIntyre/Mullen/Stuart) 2.14
02. Love Your Life (Ball/Duncan/Ferrone/Gorrie/McIntyre/Mullen/Stuart) 4.49
03. I´m The One (Ball/Duncan/Ferrone/Gorrie/McIntyre/Mullen/Stuart) 4.18
04. A Love Of Your Own (Doheny/Stuart) 5.28
05. Queen Of My Soul (Stuart) 6.05
06. Soul Searching (Gorrie/Stuart) 3.15
07. Goin´ Home (Ball/Duncan/Ferrone/Gorrie/McIntyre/Mullen/Stuart) 4.36
08. Everybody´s Darling (Ball/Stuart) 3.31
09. Would You Stay (Ball/Stuart) 5.33
10. Sunny Days (Ferrone/Gorrie/Stuart) 3.14
11. Digging Deeper (Ball/Duncan/Ferrone/Gorrie/McIntyre/Mullen/Stuart) 2.43
ARMU 2284 (zippyshare)