Impromp2 | You're Gonna Love It
Impromp2 | You're Gonna Love It
This critically lauded 1995 MoJazz/Motown release is considered, to me at least, ANOTHER of the first so-called "Neo Soul"albums. This soulful and rhythmically righteous duo consists of Vocalist/Trumpeter Johnny Britt and Rapper/Scatter, Sean E. Mac.Collectively, they took it back to the organic soft sounds of "Sweet Earlobe Pleasing Soul". Mellow, sensual, seductive ... and down right funky when let loose ! Let's take a closer look at this "Lover's Journey" through the smooth sounds and ears of "Impromp2".
The first of the duo's 4 releases, "You're Gonna Love It", is a cornucopia of Funk, Soul, and plain good ole fashioned "feel good mood"music. Produced by the talented Scottish born & bred, currently L.A. based producer, Steve Harvey, this great album is largely co-written by the duo, with contributions from producer Steve Harvey. (Not to be confused with the comedian, I don't know too many black Scottishmen). "You're Gonna Love It"is one of those albums that will ease the mind, body & soul. You'll hear lots of Smooth Jazz overtones, mellow grooves, and party like anthems. Let's take a closer look at this sonically exuberant album.
First selection, "Enjoy Yourself",features the cool chords of Roman Johnson's Fender Rhodes , the lively synthesizer parts and live drum parts performed by Steve, Sekou Bunch's tasty bass thumps, and '70's styled guitar licks of GAP Bandalum, Jimmy Macon. I like the background party yells, and the slick& smooth lead vocal of Johnny, as well as the cool Sean E. rapped verses thrown in.
On "We Got It Goin' On",features the same previously mention rhythm section, and pretty much throughout the album. Johnny's lead vocal here is very reminiscent of that of the late great Marvin Gaye, with it's whispery delivery. Couple that with his Miles Davis muted trumpet licks,the bouncy bass synth notes that closely replicates an upright acoustic bass, & the "on the one drum beat" of Steve's live drumming, you have a romantic evening play list added song.
"Lovin' You", is a talk box infused, (NOT AUTO-TUNE ! THERE'S A HUUUGE DIFFERENCE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD !! .. LOL), feel good melody, smooth electric bass lined, Wurlitzer Electric Piano ladened, magnificantly sung, New Orleans muted trumpet performed, "woman appreciated lyric'd" song ! No other way to describe it ! Nice tune.
"Get Me Off", find the fellas back in the Marvin Gaye mode. The lyrics are CERTAINLY those of a "sexual healing"nature..... and that's about as far as I'll go
But I'll say this much, I take it Johnny was listening to Marvin's 1982's masterpiece"Midnight Love" album a lot to inspire him to write these lyrics. Ladies, take notice. Once again, the pace is that of a late night jazz club, and if you listen closely, you'll hear Jimmy Macon's, GAP Banded "Yearnin' For Your Love" guitar performed lines, and why not, he played on the GAP Band Quiet Storm radio classic."My All", is another song of man showing true passion & devotion for his "pretty lady"! Cool& mellow raps by Sean E., a Freddie Hubbard toned trumpet solo from Johnny, once again, has the makings of Urban Adult Contemporary radio classic. If they play this song to this new generation of listeners, they'll most certainly call the station requesting they play it again.
My favorite cut on this album, "Get Down Mamma",has that 70's Soul Train dance line appeal to it. With an extremely deep electric bass played simultaneously with a nasty bass synth, I sonically felt, and witnessed my woofers rattling. That how I suspect was how it recorded originally. Plenty of trumpet fills throughout,background party vocal chants in the choruses, and lyrical references to the George Clinton classic "Atomic Dog", made this a BONAFIDE standout track !!
Closing jam, "Pass It On",with Steve's hard rim shot snare performance, Sean E. hard, but controlled raps, Johnny's intense trumpet, Jimmy's slick guitar licks, Sekou's upbeat and flowing bass lines, Digable Planets' "Cool Like Dat"like background vocals fills, is the perfect ending to an album I felt should've been affectionately embraced here in States, as I'm sure the folks in Europe "GOT IT!"
Subsequent Impromp2 projects, the sophomore MoJazz/Motown release, 1997's "Can't Get Enough", and the independently released, 2003's "Definition Of Love", and 2008's "It Is What It Is", are DEFINITELY worth checking out, and through the blessings of GOD and their tenacity of "hanging in there, no matter what", they're still, to this day, BLESSING the world with their "gift of song".
Happy Listening !
Randy Holmes
The Urban Music Scene
Posted by Administration at 8/18/2010 8:35 AM 
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
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