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melodic.net: Andreas Aleman - This is life
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To underline how great 2008 was to a westcoast fan, Swedish guy ANDREAS ALEMAN released one of the best CD's of last year. Blending westcoast, soul and some funky adds, he is a singer and keyboard player of highest rank. The material has mainly been written by Andreas and working partner BRIAN HOBBS and they have included a large bunch of skilled musicians to finish this fine product.
Kicking off with thew title track "This is life" I immediately thought of BILL LABOUNTY á la his great "The Right Direction" album. Both stylewise and by the fact that there are real players all through. It just sounds SO real and alive! Then take "She might not do me right" as one of the funk oriented songs. It smells TOWER OF POWER and BILL CHAMPLIN in a lovely mix. Try to stands still to this beat and you're in for a tough time. The albums' fine variation is underlined by the slightly latin colored soul/westcoaster "Your version of the truth". The album doesn't lack ballads - or semi-ballads - either. "Loving me by name" reminds me of "Restoration" (Mark Pogue) however in a more soul based manner. There's also quite a lot of JAY GRAYDON and MICHAEL RUFF in the way this song is built, which kind of shows you the quality here. Finally, hear the lovely syncopes in the upbeat westcoast and soul song "I don't really need you anymore - this song has proven to be one of Andreas' most appreciated songs live, with the audience shouting and jumping all the way. The voice of ANDREAS ALEMAN is easily one of the best on the Swedish soul scene of today, and I'd place it somewhere between BILL CANTOS and JIM PHOTOGLO.
This is music that says: We are having fun! You will get in a happy mood by listening to this high class album. Alongside with JaR and OLE BÖRUD, this is I have been listening the most to the past two or three months. Welcome to the top westcoast division, Mr. Aleman. Just start recording the next album now, will you?
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