Ali Campbell - Running Free

"They were a joy to work with," says Ali of his team-ups with soul icon Smokey Robinson and reggae giants Aston "Family Man" Barrett and Ernest Ranglin. It's not surprising that Ali is so enthused: "This is a classic party record with great people on it," he says. "And it's a bunch of great songs."

True enough, every track on Running Free has something to offer, whether it's partnerships with some of music's all-time greats or collaborations with no less talented though relative newcomers from all areas of the contemporary music scene such as Mick Hucknall, Bitty McLean, Beverley Knight, Lemar and Katie Melua.

And each track, recorded at Jamaica's Anchor studio and Eden in West London, is filled with melodic delights. There's the version of Johnny Nash's 1968 Top 5 hit, Hold Me Tight, whose infectious skank has already been wowing audiences across Europe. I'll Be Standing By, a cover of the Al Green song, features guest vocals from Lemar and is another superb example of lilting Lovers Rock, the contrast between the sweet vocals and tuff beats, plus the solid rhythms and crystalline production, making this one of many contenders for single release on Running Free.
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