Charlie Wilson | You Turn My Life Around
Charlie Wilson | You Turn My Life Around
On what will be the first of four Charles Kent Wilson's, now known throughout the world as "Uncle" Charlie Wilson, solo recordings, was a fine indication of what is to follow, EXCELLENT pieces of art. Released on Bon Ami Records, through a production and distribution agreement with the then called MCA Records, was owned by pioneering Hip Hop label entrepreneurs, Sylvia & Joe Robinson. They were infamously known for starting Sugar Hill Records in the late '70's ala 1979's "Sugar Hill Gang's Rappers Delight" and 1982's Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five classic, "The Message"
The Charlie Wilson, sanned "Uncle", "You Turn My Life Around", project peaked at #42 on Billboard's R&B Album chart when it was released in 1992. First single was the New Jack Swing patterned "Sprung On Me". From what I understand, this track was produced by his nephews, Andre &Bryan Wilson. { If my memory serves me correctly, his nephews recorded an album for Lonnie Simmons' Total Experience Records, by the name of Baby GAP. .... Correct me if I'm wrong) Charlie's vocals haven't lost the strength of the G.A.P. days ... as a matter of fact, they were stronger !
"Come Into My Love Life", was another selection that had hit written all over it ! Written and co-produced by GAP BAND alumni, supporting band member, and one half of recording duo, EMI's "Answered Questions", Morris Rentie {Other half being vocal session stalwart, the talented Ms. Marva King}, and Charlie. Light danceable rhythm, steady handwork of the tambourine, cool rhythm guitar licks, and fantastic lead & backing vocal performance from Charlie himself.
"Charlie's Jam", co-produced by multi-instrumentalist, Reggie Griffin { BTW, Reg's the main musical force behind Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You"track and a one time Qwest Recording artist }, and Joey Robinson, Jr. A steady melody and groove is pretty much prevalent throughout the song, but it's INFECTIOUS ! A party jam for sure !! Definitely in the New Jack Swing Modus Operandi. Charlie scants and vamps with his signature growl and vocal runs all over this track.
Album title track, "You Turn My Life Around", penned by Charlie, Morris & Orvalette Rentie, and the talented jazz great, Jeff Lorber. Co-Produced by Morris & Jeff collectively, this is clearly, in my opinion ... THE BEST TRACK SONICALLY, MELODICALLY, and GROOVICALLY !! Jeff's & Morris' keyboard overdubbed parts { I assumed played on the KORG M1, Roland D-50 Synthesizers and an assortment of gadgets I don't know of because I wasn't present at the recording sessions}. Once again, Charlie flexes his larynx (which I'm surprised he didn't destroy singing these parts), on the overdubbed vocal sections ..... particularly in the bridge ! WOW !! GREAT SONG,PERIOD !
"My Prayer", should've been nominated for a Dove Award, B.E.T. Gospel Award (Which I don't think existed in 1992/3), and All Grammy Urban Contemporary Gospel categories. Funky, bouncy ..... and once again, bass slapped & fretted runned performances. It contained major chordal synth performed parts, left & right panned orchestra hits throughout, and of course Charlie's plea for peace in the world, as sung in his Gospel based upbringing.
"Time", is another choice, I felt, should've been released as a single at that time. The song is ballad driven, drum programmed, keyboard & orchestra synth filled, featuring male & female charged background sung parts, & vocoder performed (Please Note : A Vocoder and an Auto-Tune vocal computer processed effect are NOT one and the same). Easy flowing melody, and Charlie's emotional plea for a woman's commitment to make a potential relationship work, may hit a spot in the female readers here.
"I Found My Baby", is a hip hop fused updated song already done via G.A.P.'s 1985 "GAP VI album, the same titled, "I Found My Baby", ..... which in turn was a slightly altered version of the 1982 Gap Band IV powerhouse single, "Outstanding" ...... Sorry Charlie!
Overall, it's a CD worth checking out as it went mainly unnoticed in 1992. I do remember Charlie performing two of these songs on Soul Train which are memorable. You can still purchase this CD on Amazon.com and I strongly urge you to. You won't be disappointed ..... It may just "Turn Your MUSIC MINDED Life Around"
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 3/2/2010 7:40 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, New School Soul
Tags: Music Videos 90's Music
Wow, I am truly grateful for this evaluation of this cd! I gto Charlie his deal with BonAmi/MCA for this record and I financed it all in the beggining. We (Charlie and I) didn't know what or where to take the record, but Charlie was so sincere with what he wanted to do on this project that I had to support him 100%. I hope that the record industry digs in the archives and re-releases this cd which in my professional opinion Charlies best vocal perform ance ever! All of the world deservers to hear how Brother Wilson was spilling his heart and soul out on this very personal and emotional outting which didn't have a bunch big name hype or extreme marketing gimmicks, just great work from one of the most undercredited artist in the history of the music industry. The majority of r&b/pop/soul vocalist of the nineties and today ahve tried to emulate his style in everyway and someone needs to give this man the accolades he deserves. I hope and pray that this message gets to the right people that make the decisions on what does what in music and allow this work of art from Charlie Wilson to be heard the way that it was intended. god bless you for your archival work and interest Urban Music Scene(Randy Mahon)!
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Hello Morris ! What's up brother !
Thank You Very Much for your kind words in regards to my review of this CD.... and Thank You for making such a brilliant album.
This is the ONLY Charlie Wilson I play a lot of. I dug "Bridging That Gap", "First name Charlie, Last Name Wilson", and the latest "Uncle Charlie Wilson", but "You Turn My Life Around" is my ULTIMATE favorite !
Yes, I agree, I hope the folks at Universal Music re-release this album. It deserves to be heard. .... and I dug that "Answered Questions" album you and Marva recorded together. That record should be re-issued for CD as well.
God Bless You Too Morris !
Peace & Blessings !
Randy M.
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The Ran Man strikes again..Keep up the good work. I love reading your reviews!
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Thank You Very Much Jerry ! I truly and sincerely appreciate you brother !
I enjoy reading your reviews the same, and please keep up your more than EXCELLENT journalism !
Peace & GOD BLESS !
Randy Holmes
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