Melissa Young - Just Up The Road

Melissa Young hails from Greenville, South Carolina and, surprise, surprise – she started her singing career in the Church. ‘Just Up The Road’ is the young lady’s debut set and both those CV items are self-evident from the word go. The opener here, ‘Rock With Me’ is a delicious slab of modern soul. It’s subtle and sophisticated and though in no way frenetic and frantic it’s a perfect dancer – especially fro the growing number of arthritic-afflicted modern soul people (age is wonderful, isn’t it?). You’ll love the little instrumental hook, too. The next three cuts are almost as good – gentle and subtle – but still right for dancing in the appropriate arena. One of the trio - ‘Its About You’ boasts an interesting production – starting like a ballad with hints of ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, it develops into a clipped, medium beater. It’s a good cut – but best of the bunch is a wonderful ‘Funny’. It’s a very gentle tune, given an edge by Melissa’s Church-reared vocal. The melody’s enhanced by some sweet harmonies and in short, it reminds me of why I got mixed up in this crazy soul world in the first place. Elsewhere there’s some sweet ballads in ‘You’ll Never Know’ and ‘Stay’ while ‘Be There’ and ‘Silver Buttons’ lean towards the R&B tip – but nothing really wrong with that. However I keep coming back to ‘Funny’ and that lovely opener, ‘Rock With Me’ – proper music for grown ups.

Bill Buckley

If you like the classier material that one has come to expect from labels such as Hidden Beach, or you like the more soulful flavours dished up by the likes of Kedar Massenburg then this album is for you. Meliisa Young’s debut album "Just Up The Road" does not fail on any level, and for these well-seasoned ears contains no filler material at all. Its a very consistent and listenable album and is definitely on par with recent sets from the like of April Hill for the 'put on and leave on' stakes. Musically, Kindred The Family Soul spring to mind, and lyrically I can liken this set to that of the excellent June April album, reviewed earlier on this site. There is honesty and an earthiness about "Just Up The Road". We are in the presence of another who stops and thinks prior to committing pen to paper as far as lyrics are concerned, and for my money that has to be half the battle. Real instruments are the main focus of attention for me. The use of real instruments adds depth, it is suggestive of - dare I use such a made-up word - real-ness. There can be no lack of imagination here, and the way Meliisa has crafted her lyrics to the music is akin to a blacksmith at his forge. Songs such as the jaunty "Rock Wit You" and droolsome "Mr Shonuff" attest to this. These songs along should garnish a great deal of radio exposure, and tracks such as "Silver Button" are worthy of credit for its clever angle on socially conscious issues. Soul music has been criticized in the past for relying on the reliable love story / break up scenario for its bread and butter, but what is wrong with that? This CD is unapologetic in this, and in fact Meliisa takes this heartfelt subject with much self-confidence and a great degree of intelligence. This is, of course, miles away from the juvenile crotch-rubbing and prevaricating coming out of the whiskerless youth favoured by the major labels! Relationships are a complex thing and one listen to this young Lady tells us that she has been there, done that and has the scars to prove it. This personal vibe adds more gravitas to the album, and matched with the professional – and mostly live – instrumentation is superb. Vocally, too, Meliisa is no lightweight and if you find appeal in the likes of Latoya London then this Lady is for you. A name to watch out for.

Barry Towler