Customer Reviews

Volume 2-1990: A New Decade

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Naturally, the first thing most people will point out about this album is the huge void left by the powerhouse voice behind huge hits like "Keep On Movin'" and "Back To Life". Caron Wheeler's shoes aren't easy ones to fill, but on their second U.S. release, Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade, the voices of Lamya, Kym Mazelle, Marcia Lewis, and Victoria Wilson-James prove to be more than capable of carving out niches of their own. When you hear Marcia Lewis' soulful vocals on the powerhouse jam "Get A Life" or when you witness the strength of Kym Mazelle's voice on "Missing You" you begin to forget the fact that Caron Wheeler is even missing. What I thought was special was the fact that they didn't try to replace Caron Wheeler with a bunch of copycats, but opted for original voices who each brought something different to the table.

While I love Caron Wheeler as much as the next person and would never ever dream of taking anything away from her vocal ability, I have to say that by the time you finish with this album you probably won't even notice that she was absent to begin with. I rated this album higher than their previous LP because it was more cohesive and consistent. While some of their biggest hits are contained on Keep On Movin', on this album Soul II Soul offers up some smooth jazz, R&B, and dance tracks with a hint of pop in a fluid blend that makes this album more enjoyable than their previous LP. I highly reccomend picking this up if you haven't already.

Standout Tracks: Courtney Blows, Time, Love Come Through, Missing You (My Favorite), Get A Life, and 1990: A New Decade

This is actually one of the first CD's I ever owned so it holds a special place in my heart...

That said, this has actually held up pretty well over the years. It's their second release; features a great combination of dance music, r&b, and even a little jazz. It's got a great vibe from start to finish; very solid throughout. Very head-nod-friendly.

Good stuff. It's too bad this band basically fell off the face of the earth after this release.

Get a Life is a good example of Soul II Soul. There first album was good, but this one has a little bit of all kind's of beat's.People has a house groove.Missing You has the original Soul II Soul vibe, like Keep on Moving.It is a great song for any occasion.I have alot of fun with this recording.

Although vocalists Kym Mazelle, Victoria Wilson-James, Lamya, and Marcia Lewis perform well on their respective solos, the powerhouse performances of Caron Wheeler from the group's first album drops this recording down a few notches.

With that in mind, the instrumental selections are clearly the better offerings here: "Time (Untitled)" and "Courtney Blows", are jazzy enough not to be pop and pop enough not to be jazz.

That is Soul II Soul's contribution to the music industry: being something for everyone.

An album that's not much of a big deal for a band that closed out the '80s with a giant BANG. Soul II Soul's follow-up is still a listening delight but unlike their monstrous debut, it lacks the aggressiveness, rawness, and most importantly, the absense of powerhouse vocalist Caron Wheeler. However, the group still trys to retain the formula that made them a household name with the hits "Get a Life," "A Dreams a Dream," and "Missing You."

It was hard to come close to the originality of their first offering, but Jazzie B and his fellow Funki Dreds along with some of the most underestimated divas in the business provided fans of true R&B with a timeless taste of pure soul!

If you like SoulIISoul you have got to get this CD for your collection. Heck, even if you have never heard of them and like soul music, you should check this out. It's their best album, if you ask me.

I totally understand how people feel as though follow-up efforts fall short. In some instances that may be so. Soul II Soul's, "Vol II: 1990-A New Decade" was certainly an exception. Though it lacked the presence of Caron Wheeler this CD/album stood completely on its own merit. It's biggest release, "Get A Life," leaves one reminiscent of "Keep On Movin'". The smooth, head-bobbin' beat that made us fall in love with Jazzy B's most recognizable efforts. Or a tune like "Love Come Through" with it's bangin' and throbbing, almost hip-hopesque character. Without a doubt, "Time" with it's cruisin', top-down string arrangements warrants the listener to close their eyes and experience its mood while in repeat mode. Altogether, this collection was a heavier, more bass-oriented and refined body of work. Though some may have longed for the commercialized version of Soul II Soul's offerings these recordings certainly earned themselves, perhaps a little late but, a well-deserved second listen from passersby.