Alyson Williams | Raw
Back In The Day Album Review: Alyson Williams | Raw
By Stella Titus Ayala
The year is 1989 and I remember the first time I heard the sultry smooth sound of the beautiful, sexy ALYSON WILLIAMS. Now let me take you back for a spell: I remember driving down to Music Plus - that’s right - Music Plus! Yes y’all I’m old… Old school that is. But I remember feeling like I couldn’t wait to get the Cassette tape in the deck of my car and start playing “Just Call My Name”. This Def Jam Recording/Rush Management artist was one of most talented beauties to hit the air waves that year like an inviting sultry rain of fire.
“Just Call My Name” with the musical talents of Saxophonist NAJEE (EMI/Capitol Records) adding to the already smooth groove is just the beginning of the album, RAW, but definitely not where this sexy songbird ends… Moving right into the next track, “We’re Gonna Make It”, a duet with Ted Mills, keeps you in the mood of a slow jamming session with the one you love or the one you may just be trying to get close to. But before you think it can’t get any hotter, she sends you adrift with the smooth sailing sounds of “Not On The Outside” and “Masquerade”. Both of these tracks show the strength and dynamic power of Ms. Williams’ vocal range and talent. These were both in my very own slow jams rotation back in the day and now in my old school IPOD rotation today.
But its no wonder this album was so good! With duets like “I’m So Glad”, a duet with the heavy hitting vocals of Chuck Stanley, that was a guaranteed slow jam. It was going to bring the fire to any evening of romance. “I’m So Glad” didn’t surprise me with it’s level of heat being that it was produced by one of our most globally known ICON’S in the business then and today - Mr. Russell Simmons himself (Rush Groove Productions) along with Vincent bell (doorbell recordings).
“My Love” was the more Hip-Hop track on the album featuring the rap talents of Nikki-D. Followed by the Dance tracks “On The Rocks”, “Still My No.1” and “Sleep Talk” - all made for party jumping moves like the “Cabbage Patch” and doing “The Wop”. You know those parties was OFF THE CHAIN back in the day!
“I Need Your Lovin”, again, the production Genius of Russell Simmons and Vincent Bell, for putting the background vocals of Chuck Stanley on this seductive track. I know from personal experience just how TOUGH this track used to BUMP in my booming system… Can you say 15’s? Yes, back in the day, we were all trying to breakout and break free. I believe 'LL' (LL Cool J) said it best: “As the cars drive by with the booming systems!” This track may have been a slow jam but it did it’s job cruising down Magnolia Ave. on Friday Nights out bumping even some of the Mini Trucks and their LA Disco. Still one of my Favorites on the RAW album.
Ending the album RAW, “Make You Mine Tonight”, again the musical talent of Ms. Alyson Williams is complemented by the vocal duet balance of Mr. Chuck Stanley - only proving once again what Fire and Desire is all about between lovers. Bringing us to the last track, “How To Love Again”, a duet with Oran “Juice” Jones - this was a mid-tempo R&B track that was just a smooth driving song on the album or get close to your girl song at the high school parties but made for a great twist for a last track on the album. Overall, this album is one that..... if you haven’t experienced the total Old School Thang.... dooo betta yourself a favor. Find the album RAW by ALYSON WILLIAMS and check it out for yourself. Maybe you might conjure up those old Krush Groove feelings of Back in the Day? Peace n love -
Stella Titus-Ayala
Theurbanmusicscene.com
Posted by Administration at 11/30/2011 10:16 PM 
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, Perspectives, New School Soul
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
Categories: Rhythm and Blues, Videos, Perspectives, New School Soul
Tags: 80s Music Music Videos
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