When American urban-contemporary radio was bombarding its listeners with one
Guy clone after another in the late '80s and early '90s, British neo-soulsters like
Soul II Soul,
Lisa Stansfield, and
the Chimes offered highly creative and gutsy alternatives. With influences ranging from
Chic to hip-hop to African music,
Soul II Soul's debut album,
Keep on Movin' (titled
Club Classics, Vol. 1 in its original British incarnation), was among the most rewarding R&B releases of 1989.
Soul II Soul leader/producer/composer
Jazzie B takes one risk after another -- all of which pay off. The group enjoyed major hits with the
Chic-influenced gems "Keep on Movin'" and "Back to Life" (both of which feature the gifted
Caron Wheeler), and equally superb are the African-influenced reflections of "Dance" and "Holdin' On," the soulful grit and intensity of "Feel Free," and the hypnotic house music of "Happiness." Though
Wheeler was
Soul II Soul's best-known singer and went on to enjoy a career as a solo artist,
Rose Windross and
Do'Reen (both expressive soul divas) also do their part to make
Keep on Movin' the artistic triumph that it is.
–
Alex Henderson, Rovi