Having risen to prominence thanks to the success of the song “Get Mine”, Bella Brown (real name Carol Hatchett) has been one of the leading figures of the funky-soul scene for many years. underground from Los Angeles and is considered by many to be Sharon Jones' heir.
The debut comes after four successful singles, which obviously form the backbone of the entire project, starting from title trackalmost eight minutes of funky-soul-r&b in key disc from the flowing instrumental and vocal fugues that keep the tension high, while the wind section shifts the axis towards rougher sounds.
Another of the four singles, “Living Proof”, is equally compelling, a song characterised by a soul-rock edge that will remind some of Tina Turner, a feeling that resurfaces in the incandescent mix of black music and rock'n'roll of “Fast As Lightning”.
Among the singles that anticipated the release, a more romantic soul could not be missed mid-tempoa role that “What Will You Leave Behind” performs admirably with enveloping and well-calibrated sounds that highlight the technical qualities of the band The Jealous Lovers, a band that has already been at the court of Elton John, Prince, Stevie Wonder and Whitney Houston. “Bang Bang Bang” is another single, a track that betrays ambitions sixties and spirit northernsoul from the title alone, a jaunty and rhythmically agile song.
The sensual funky-r&b of “Living Proof”, the Caribbean touch of “Lady Time” and the inevitable, but not superfluous, ballad “There Is Love” complete the picture, confirming “Soul Clap” as one of the most interesting funky-soul-r&b albums of recent times. A more than convincing debut.
26/08/2024
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
