FFWD Weekly
Copyright © 1997. All Rights Reserved.
THE BRAND NEW HEAVIES
Shelter
Delicious Vinyl· Follow-up to the Heavies' phenomenally successful Brother Sister.
· Vocalist and Michael Jackson collaborator Siedah Garret replaces N'Dea Davenport.
Emerging from the '80s rare groove scene in England, The Brand New Heavies have become the embodiment of sexy, horn 'n' bass funk.
Their last record, Brother Sister - which went double platinum in the UK - established the band as the leaders in the new school of disco-inspired funk. It also established N'Dea Davenport as a vocalist to be reckoned with.
N'Dea has since left the band to pursue a solo career. The Heavies have replaced her with Quincy Jones protégé Siedah Garrett. Unquestionably a talented singer, Siedah - who co-wrote Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror" and sings with him on "I Just Can't Stop Loving You" - also brings her song-writing talents to the band. Here lies the dilemma.
While commercial success is never bad in itself, it is when it becomes your philosophy. On Shelter, the Heavies sound as though they're trying to write hits, a concept that probably never came to mind in the past.
Gone are the rare groove, late night clubbing Brand New Heavies. Enter the era of the squeaky clean urban soul Heavies. A disappointment? I guess that depends on what you want out of the band.
3/5
Ian Chiclo
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