Louie Vega has achieved the impossible – his first artist album is a ‘best of’. Let me explain – Vega has been cultivating this body of work over the last few years, drawing on all the different musical relationships he has formed as half of Masters At Work and as a producer in his own right. It is a hugely enviable list of talent, and Vega draws out 25 of the very best solo artists to collaborate on the 28 tracks that make up ‘Starring’… The reason this is a best of is because each track is an outright winner. Incredibly for such a big double album there is no filler – every song has an important part to play, bringing out a different aspect of Vega’s musical heritage. Where to start? Funkadelic & George Clinton are the perfect place, for ‘Ain’t That Funkin’ Kind Hard On You?’ does clever word play and irresistible rhythms. From here we touch on gospel (‘You Are Everything’ with Jocelyn Brown), jazzy house (Monique Bingham on the superb ‘Elevator (Going Up)’) deeper house (Caron Wheeler on ‘A New Day’), soul (Tony Momrelle on ‘Gift Of Love’), Latin (‘Es Vedra’ with Luis Salinas) and much, much more. The vocal stars – and there are many! – also include Byron Stingily, Adeva, Lisa Fisher and N’Dea Davenport. Vega writes with originality and flair throughout, and this project – a clear labour of love – is an outright winner. Lovers of any sort of dance music should go forth and purchase immediately, as the vibes are hot, joyful and lasting!
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
