You never get too far from soulful sounds or Hendrix tones with guitarist Robin Trower in the mix. Here, he joins in with Marvin Gaye-influenced singer Maxi Priest and Motown motivated Livingston Brown on bass guitar and keyboards (along with guests like Chris Taggart /dr and others on strings, horns and percussion) for a collection where each note is a well crafted masterpiece. In fact, the album has a feel that is reminiscent of a song from Trower’s first album, “Man of the World”, with it’s soul drenched pulse and foot stomping grit.
The mix of Memphis backbeats, echoey Strat guitars and Priest’s voice make you think that this is what a Hendrix/Gaye summit would sound like, as on the slinky “Are We Just People” the riveting “On Fire Like Zsa Zsa” or the smoky “Walking Wounded”. Trower’s wah-wah works overtime on the upbeat “Hands to the Sky” and creates dark blue shadows on “Bring It All Back to You”. The horns create a smoky low ceilinged room on “Sunrise Revolution” while hints of vintage Al Green are recalled on “Good Day” before the band closes in the Hound of Baskervilles fog on the ballad “Where Our Love Came From”.
Trower once said in an interview that his goal was to make each note count and be filled with soul. It works here.