Jason Lee Bailey is a soul and gospel muso from Sheffield- sure, up there in Yorkshire. He works beneath the intriguing title MR BAILEY and he is simply launched his album ‘Love @ 43’. He tells us that he grew up listening to fashionable gospel (individuals like Andre Crouch, Jesse Dixon, The Clark Sisters and The Winans,) however as he acquired older his tastes turned extra secular. He cites individuals like Donny Hathaway, Stevie Surprise, Sam Cooke, Eric Benet, Kim Burrell, Boyz 2 Males and Jodeci as heroes/influences.
Mr B started his professional music odyssey as a backing singer – he is sung behind the likes of West Life (‘Hey No matter’), Alexandra Burke (‘Hallelujah’), Leona Lewis (‘A Second Like This’), Lamar (‘Time To Develop’ & ‘Lullaby’), Texas, Child Spice, Andrea Bocelli and Gareth Gates. In 2018 he struck out on his personal along with his self-penned set ‘Open’ which form of slipped beneath the radar. Hopefully the intriguingly titled ‘Love @ 43’ will get pleasure from a special trajectory… it certain deserves to; it is a superb, fastidiously crafted, lavishly produced fashionable soul set that although completely modern, pays homage to a few of those that Jason Lee counts as influences.
The overriding flavour of the 11 tracker is the sound of neo-soul with many of the cuts being tasteful, strong, mid-tempo soul grooves. Amongst the highlights is a candy ballad, ‘I Actually Do not Assume That’ that form of combines the most effective of the Philly soul teams with the Boyz II Males sound. And it is the harmonies all through the album that provide the sweetest attraction. Take a look at the easy, ‘I Love You’ to listen to what I imply. Sure, the title’s not significantly unique however the therapy is however in order for you one thing just a little heavier there’s the sinister ‘In opposition to The Wall’ and the a-cappella ‘Chains’ which harks again to Mr Bailey’s gospel roots.
For one thing utterly completely different there is a “bonus observe” – ‘Sunny Day’ – as “up” and optimistic because the title suggests. It the LP’s tightest (sedate and complex) dance groove with enormous potential as a flooring filler. It comes massively advisable –as does the entire album. The best praise I may give is that listening to it “blind” you would be forgiven for pondering it is an American recording, the kind of factor that Rahsaan Patterson or the aforementioned Eric Benet might need give you. Out now.