Very much a game of two halves, this release from near-legendary vocalist Robert Owens. As a whole it showcases his versatility as a singer, capable of moving the listener with sultry soul music but also uplifting with more beat driven examples influenced by early house. The reality here is that the soul songs, while beautifully sung, feel more than a touch contrived – with the exception of the Larry Heard produced ‘Black Diamond’, and its west coast vibe. Helpfully the album, a collection of collaborations with Heard, Atjazz, Beanfield and Show B, divides into a disc each of soul and house. The advice is to head straight for CD2, where Owens gives a blistering performance on pretty much each track, with a spring in the step for ‘Ancestral History’ and some blessings to be counted in ‘Step Inside The Moment’. These are just two uplifting moments of a pretty exceptional set of house tunes. So is Owens the voice of house still? Pretty much on this occasion, with nothing less than 100% on offer.
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Ben Hogwood
