Customer Reviews

Look How Long

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Carl Macintosh perfected British Soul and his 80's band, the legendary Loose Ends, were THE group to beat at the height of it's popularity (no disrespect intended Incognito) and this final studio effort from the band's last incarnation is note perfect from beginning to end. I listed the hypnotic "Hold Tight" above because it's the most perfect track on the album and placed next to the even more heavenly "Love Controversy Pt.II" it stands as a perfect distillation of everything I love about British Soul, the minor keys, deep, bone-rattling bass, a smooth, ethereal vibe, muted trumpet and vocals that perfectly complement the arrangement, not overwhelm it. With new vocalists Linda Carriere and Suny Suleyman on board for this last go round, the king Of U.K. soul went out on top, at least performance-wise. His production touches are still evident in all modern music and his vocal style has been imitated by nearly male soul singer around. "Look How Long" is the sound of joyous, effortless brilliance.

This CD was my favorite when I was a freshman in college. It played everyday and loud through the dorm halls. By brother sent me this on cassette when he was in Germany. I fell in love with it because it was different from what was on the radio at that time. "Symptoms Of Love" was one of the tracks that kept my finger on the rewind button even though it was only 1:22 long. I had the loudest stereo in the dorm and I let everyone know daily. Other tracks that kept the R.A. knocking were: time is ticking, "try my love", "don't you ever" and "loves got me". I have all of the Loose Ends CD's now and this still is one of my favorites.

oNe

LOOSE ENDS, makes music that let's you feel every word and sound that they are producing. i like to just chill and listen to anything they have made. im buying the CD "LOOK HOW LONG" cause someone stole mine. it's one of my favorite discs. i advice you to check out LOOSE ENDS!

I loved it when it came out, and i still love it now. One of my guilty pleasures. Very simple, straight-foward, and classic early 90's "Soul II Soul era" sound. I wish that they or "HE" could have made more albums, because the were all good. Especially "Zagora".

Having owned this in three different formats I would say this is the best album they ever made. It glides from one cut into another seamlessly taking you on one of the slickest musics rides of the period. Absolutely Saturday or Sunday cruising music. When you hear this you'll wonder "Where are they now?"
You'll want to hear them live.

I was overseas in Japan when I bought this, away from American Radio and after returning from Desert Storm. I hadn't heard any singles, and had no idea what the album sounded like. All I saw was "Loose Ends," and that was all the assurance I needed. Being that I was out of touch with some of the music news, I was not aware of any changes, so imagine my surprise...

Apparently, there was a very noticeable difference in the release of "Look How Long" as compared with the other previous releases. Well, actually, there are two (for those who were REALLY paying attention): Carl McIntosh took over as the predominant vocalist (Jayne Eugene no longer being with the group) and instrumentalist (Steve Nichol also departed), pretty much making Loose Ends a "loose end." Well, McIntosh seemed 2 pull it off well. I guess he kept the name 4 recognition purposes (I think even fewer people would have bought "Carl McIntosh of Loose Ends").

Still, this is a "Loose Ends" album, without a doubt. The English funkfest continued on tracks like "Hold Tight" (U immediately think of Soul II Soul), and "Don't Be A Fool", an up tempo track that was the type of music constantly coming out of England. "Time Is Ticking" and "Love Controversy Pt. 1" are also classic UK R&B, and nice dance tracks, 2 boot. "Cheap Talk" sounds like very classic Loose Ends material.

I guess McIntosh decided 2 go the American route on several of the songs...he actually used sampled music 4 some of the tracks (the final definitive factor between this and the previous Loose End releases). The rhytmn track on "Don't You Ever (Try To Change Me)" sounds sampled (there is hiss noise present), but I believe it was his own. Check the sounds he uses on "Try My Love" and the ever-popular drum track on "Love's Got Me". And does anyone recognize the sample track on "I Don't Need To Love"? Here's a clue: Teddy, Aaron...

Complete with female vocal leads (he has 3 guesting on 4 tracks, plus one co-lead on "Hold Tight" that is not mentioned directly on the credits) and a bonus track (The song "Let's Wax A Fatty", included only on the CD version, was just in time 4 the Vogue dance era, and incorporated a Chipmunk-like voice sample), this is a fitting end 2 a great era...UK Soul, as it existed at that time, was already fading out. And Carl McIntosh gave the "Loose Ends" name the chance 2 bow out gracefully along with the era. 2 bad he did not continue.

After the original Loose Ends threesome going their separate ways, Carl Macintosh kept the name and I wondered if the original Loose Ends vibe would ever be the same. I needn't have worried! this Album was the strongest 'comeback' you could have hoped for. It's obvious from this killer set of tunes that Macca was the driving force behind the original group and to say he doesn't disappoint here is a major understatement. Look How Long put the Loose Ends name back where it belonged - at the forefront of original UK dance music.

Still love this LP after all those years - get it, you wan't be disappoined!!

I am a die hard Loose Ends fan and Look How Long has got to be the best album yet. The others only had a few good hits, but this one really gets into your soul. Every song has a true meaning and is the ultimate in smooth laid back listening. I have purchased this album 5 different times because i can't seem to get enough of it. I actually have purchased all the albums. One thing to the group, please don't making songs I really love your music.

Loose Ends still sounds just as funky on this album from 1990 as the 1988 one before it! Both Don't be A Fool and Don't You Ever Try To Change Me are both funky songs back to back! The title song is just as groove heavy. Carl McIntosh continues his funk vibe on many of the songs here. It was a big risk to continue after the two original members left, but the newer members sound just as good on this one. While I didn't hear another Loose Ends album after this one, this was another strong effort by this group!

Arguably the best album,track for track by Loose Ends.The Look how long album was the long awaited final album. The line up on this album had changed but all the production, soul and Jazz was still there.This album was a fitting farewell that broke our hearts and our dancing shoes. It serves as on of the sound tracks to my life and a bench mark album that must be bought. It is simply UK soul at its best with something to dance to,cry to,sing to and think to. My only regret is that we will never see or hear the likes of Loose Ends again or will we ???

God bless Loose Ends