One of the contributors to the original Chicago house music movement, Joe Smooth served primarily as a producer, but issued a braced of solo albums during this time that included the sublime ‘Promised Land’. Featuring the vocals of Anthony Thomas the song was christened the summer of love anthem of ’88; six months later it belatedly gained a UK release, but suffered to a rival version from an unexpected quarter. Paul Weller’s Style Council hiring Magic Juan to mix up a crossover hit for the mod topped one, while Smooth suffered the same fate as the pioneering black rock n’ roll artists three decades earlier and had to be consoled with the runners up prize. 21 years on it’s revisit from an unlikely source as producer John Jones (Hed Kandi), Martin Mayhem and Steve Norman from Spandau Ballet, together with the in demand Peyton add a new twist to things with (with DJ Meme adding a killer mix too).
5 Out Of 5
Reviewed By: Lewis Dene