Customer Reviews

Soulstream

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4 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Fans of Holly Johnson or Frankie Goes to Hollywood (Holly was the lead) are in for a treat. Despite persistent rumors to the contrary, Holly isn't dead...and he has kindly put together this collection to remind us that he's still kicking! "Disco Heaven," the first single, creates for us an image of life after death, where our past friends and partners dance eternity away, forever young and glamorous. Expect to hear it at your favorite dance club, this Hi NRG tune ain't no weepy ballad! "Hallelujah," awaiting release as a single as well, is another club track, musically on par with "Disco Heaven." Suggesting spirituality free from the bonds of organized religion, this will no doubt be a favorite for the Christian Coalition. Re-recordings of Holly's 1994 Hi NRG single, "Legendary Children (All of Them Queer)" and the FGTH hit ballad, "The Power of Love" (here scaled back, with more sincerity and less schmaltz), will doubtless be heard on the radio and in the clubs, as well. Overall, Holly's voice is as powerful as in his FGTH days, though possibly now more refined. He no longer has that Rick Astley-esque sound from his 1989 album, "Blast" (thank goodness!). Songs range from great dance tracks to ballads and most everything in between. Most of those in-between tracks have a FGTH flavor, but more "Liverpool" than "Welcome to the Pleasuredome."His lyrics are a bit more spiritual in nature, and a FEW songs do read almost like self-help books...not quite over the top, but close!

After going into seclusion following the MCA Records dispute in 1991 - leaving his album Dreams that Money Can't Buy completely unsupported, many people thought Holly had succumbed to AIDS - this directly following the announcement that he was HIV positive. Changing his life dramatically, Holly decided to take himself out of the limelight while focusing on his painting career...yet he never stopped creating music. This album represents 10 years of introspective thought - it's really an excellent piece of work! If you're looking for the sassiness of Holly's Dan Hartman-produced album Blast (1989), you won't find it here... the sound is very mellow (aside from a couple of fun dance cuts) and very well executed . Holly's voice is smooth and sincere and definitely rich - he's a talented vocalist. This is an excellent album that gives us hope for more of his work in the future. Holly hasn't stopped creating and we get to savor the fruits of his labor!

This is one of my all time favourite albums. I just have to say it is one of the most uplifting CD's that I have heard in a long time. Modern yet not pandering to trends. HALLELUJAH! IS A WONDERFUL DANCE POP ANTHEM. LADY LUCK A BITTERSWEET BALLAD! And the sublime The Power Of Love is like a dark chocolate dream. The vocals on Soulstream are Hollys best. It also shows a mature songwriting talent,NOT TO BE MISSED

In 1999, Holly Johnson released his first album in eight years titled Soulstream. As the ex-singer of the popular 80s group Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Johnson had huge success as a band's frontman. After the band's break-up, Johnson started his solo career with the release of Blast in 1989 which went to number one in the UK. By 1991, the follow-up Dreams That Money Can't Buy was released to little success. Johnson discovered that very year that he was HIV positive which triggered his withdrawal from making music. 1994 saw the release of Johnson's autobiography titled A Bone In My Flute as well as two new singles. One single was aimed at the gay community, titled Legendary Children (All of Them Queer) whilst the other single was a collaboration with Ry'ichi Sakamoto titled Love & Hate. Both did little in terms of chart success whilst Johnson's himself described that by this time, he was at death's door. However, with new treatment's for HIV being available, Johnson regained his health and began singing once again. He created his own record label titled Pleasuredome and created his own studio at his home where he wrote and produced the album himself. Eventually in late 1999, Soulstream was released and remains Johnson's last studio album to date.

The album opens with a hopeful ballad titled Lady Luck which begins with a simple melodic riff from the use of piano, keyboards and strong percussion. Johnson's vocals naturally sound different compared to previous releases. Johnson's vocals here are clearly much richer and powerful than before. The lyrics refer to a man who had once lost all hope but now knows that some luck and hope will arrive every now and then. The verses convey the lyrics nicely whilst the vocals provide hope. The chorus smashes in with an uplifting feel, hopeful vocals and a strong melody. The entire track runs through nicely, making a strong opener. "I've been waiting for so long for something like this to come along. Lady luck will smile once in a while on everyone..."

The next track is Soulstream which begins with some various layers of synthesizer, female backing vocal and a hint of brass instrument. The immediately sets the calm and carefree mood of the track. Johnson's vocals are full of richness throughout which is showcased well in the verses. The chorus flows beautifully from the verse with more strong vocals, backing vocals and weaving synthesizer. The lyrics refer to the key of life being love, hope and happiness. A nicely constructed song, creating the perfect mood of relaxation. "Inspiration flows with hearts of gold, fate paints pictures into life. When we dream, we sail away on boats of hope, where dolphins play. In the depths the demons swim, fear, anger, hate begins..."

Following on is the up tempo Disco Heaven which begins with some strong female vocal on top of a disco-influenced keyboard rhythm. This builds up to the main melody which adds even more of a disco influence as well as the use of a solo string instrument that echo an orchestral feel. The lyrics are personal to Johnson, about all the friends that he lost to AIDS. Despite this gloomy meaning, the song is again hopeful with the lyrics referring to Disco Heaven as a place to one day reunite. The chorus is uplifting and uses plenty of energetic backing female vocal. The song is perfectly constructed and works nicely throughout. As the lead single from the album, a video was created which was directed by Johnson and features cameos from Boy George and Jasper Conran. "I feel them here watching over me, throwing love down from the sky. I know in my heart no one ever dies, they're just waiting for me to rise..."

Don't Give Up is a strong track which lyrics focus on never giving up and always having hope. The track begins with a strong melody provided by a great drum rhythm and a great string section that has an orchestral feel. The vocals are full of a rich sound throughout. Layers of synthesizer carry the verses along with some backing harmony vocals and the string section. The chorus is very memorable and rather inspiring. A strong song throughout with some excellent production. "Don't give up, don't give in. Just one step and you'll begin to get up off the floor, start climbing up the walls. Soon you'll hit the roof and forget about the fall..."

Next is Hope which immediately starts with a perfect blend of keyboard and a brass section. The vocals are the highlight here which sound incredible. The verses flow nicely with Johnson's vocals carried by keyboard. The lyrics refer to how having hope can make all the difference. The chorus is uplifting and inspirational with the help of the rich vocals and strong production. There's a nice guitar solo as well which works with the context of the song whilst the ending of the track features a great solo brass section. "Hold your head up, don't you feel down, just let some hope into your heart. The time is now, just hope and pray and something good is bound to start..."

The Best Invention is a true highlight of the album and is certainly one of the most commercial sounding pieces here. The song immediately opens with a fantastically memorable and rather sweet melody played by synthesizer. The verses flow perfectly with Johnson's vocal shining with richness, carried by synthesizers. The chorus is infectious with the use of female backing vocals and a memorable melody. The lyrics refer to love being the greatest invention of all. A perfectly written and well produced track. "Time is like an arrow (through your heart), time it just can't wait. Don't you waste tomorrow and fall in love with hate..."

Next is Hallelujah! which is one of the more up tempo pieces on the album. The song opens with a strong drum rhythm and some female backing vocals. The vocals are strong throughout the verses which are carried by some great keyboard. The chorus is incredibly infectious, being anthemic and carried by a great melody and sensational vocals. For this song, the lyrics refer to setting your soul free shown by the chorus "Radiate light, love power, set free your soul, hallelujah..." A brilliant saxophone solo is featured as well, making this song a highlight of the album. "Are you ready to hear the gospel truth? It's an act of faith, so don't ask for proof. It's inside of you, inside of me, love is the power to set your heart free..."

Following is All U Need Is Love which begins with a simple but memorable synthesizer melody. The simple rhythm and backing acoustic guitar carries Johnson's vocals through the verses. As the title suggests, the lyrics refer to love being all anyone needs. The chorus is memorable and features some backing vocals with a small string section. For the ending, the instruments simply wind down until acoustic guitar and a recurring keyboard sound effect are the only instruments remaining. "This time tomorrow we may not be here, so enjoy it now and never fear. Love is the answer to all the pain, pick yourself up and live again..."

Next is Legendary Children (2000) which is a reworking of the original 1994 single Legendary Children (All of Them Queer). As the title suggest, this song is aimed at the gay community and therefore holds little interest to anyone else. Despite this, the song holds up as catchy and energetic. The song immediately starts with a couple of strong layers of keyboard - one that provides the bassline and the other that supplies the melody. The verses consist of Johnson naming numerous homosexual idols and figures before the pre-chorus features an up tempo synthesizer line. The chorus smashes in and despite the gay directed lyrics, any listener can find that this chorus is very energetic and memorable. A mixture of a bouncing keyboard riff and lively vocals make this chorus particularly strong. "Oh, come let us adore them, those legendary children. You know you can't ignore them, those legendary children..."

Next is the cover version of The Power of Love which was originally a hit in Christmas 1985 for Frankie Goes To Hollywood. Johnson has said countless times that this song is close to his heart, hence performing his own solo directed version of it. As Johnson sang the original, one can't help but compare these two versions. This version begins with some strong grand piano and acoustic guitar which is followed by Johnson's vocals. Here the richness and maturity of Johnson's vocals adds an entire new level of emotion upon this song. The entire song flows with this emotion whilst the lyrics are extremely powerful here. Throughout this version is a great string section which gives this version a more organic sound than the original. A strong and truly memorizing piece. "The power of love, a force from above, cleaning my soul. Flame on burn desire, love with tongues of fire, purge the soul, make love your goal..."

The album's closer is titled Urban Jungle/In The House of The Rising Sun which is a cover version of the traditional track, most successfully covered by The Animals in 1964. The first section is titled Urban Jungle which simply consists of jungle sound effects and the main rhythm of the song. The main section of the song itself features some strong guitar over the rhythm, followed by the vocals. Johnson's rich vocals add a unique touch to this track. The vocals are solid throughout with the inclusion of some female backing vocals in one section, immediately followed by a great and lengthy saxophone solo which follows to the end of the song. A strong cover and an excellent album closer. It was in February 2011 that Johnson recorded a quick take of the song for radio with Jools Holland and his band. "There is a house in New Orleans, it's called the rising sun. And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy, and god I know I'm one..."

Soulstream marked a strong return into the public eye for Johnson. Whilst not as commercial as previous efforts, the album has many strong points with plenty of uplifting moments. Johnson's writing is as strong as ever and the production is brilliant. Many songs on the album are related to spiritual healing, love, hope, peace and understanding on top of powerful and positive melodies. The album was released in late 1999 to little success though which could be numerous reasons. Promotion was probably lacking due to there being no major record label backing the release. The lead single was Disco Heaven which peaked at #89 in the UK. This album's version of The Power of Love was released, peaking at #56. Hallelujah! was released as a promotional single in 1998 which was released as a test for Johnson to try and learn how to release something on his own label. This single reached the top ten in The Record Mirror Club Chart and top fifteen in their Pop Tip Chart according to Johnson's official website. Although the version of Legendary Children isn't the same as the 1994 release, the original version did peak at #97 in the UK and reportedly topped the chart in Israel.

Overall I highly recommend this album to any 80s pop or disco fan. This album marked a return for Holly Johnson and proved he was still capable of writing and performing strong material. This was the Johnson being able to record and release an album exactly the way he liked without a major record company interfering. Soulstream is a strong showcase of Johnson's unique vocals and songwriting.

This album from the start is pure Holly! It has since it's release become quite a hard to find item, released by Holly's own label "Pleasuredome". I suggest if you like Holly's music then this is definately worth a purchase. I think a re-issue is necessary as Universal has reissued his earlier MCA albums so come on and take notice, re-release it to a wider and probably more appreciative audience.

Having supported Holly's career for a number of years and falling headlong into 1991's "Dreams That Money Can't Buy", this set, despite the Brilliant title, lacks substance and is the miserable existence Holly has attempted to overcome through his writing skills. "Hope" is an outstanding track echoing his previously released efforts. The rest is just bland and should never have seen the light of day, particularly "House Of The Rising Sun". An apology is due to the residents of New Orleans. Holly's talents are overshadowed on this miserable set.