Review By: Althea Turner Steve Cole "Turn It Up" Label: Artistry Music He's… Read Full Bio ↴Review By: Althea Turner
Steve Cole "Turn It Up"
Label: Artistry Music

He's back with his 8th solo CD release, and if you've followed Steve Cole during his AMAZING career, then you'll want to get your hands on a copy of his latest release, "Turn It Up."

It's classic Cole on "Turn It Up" and "She's The One." His signature sax harmonies and up-beat melodies take over and has just the right snap and sauciness to have you craving more.

"Reverence" slows it down a bit (or one may think). If you listen really carefully you'll hear every note from every instrument; from the acoustical guitar peeping through, to the soft beats and percussion. Then there's Steve coming in strong on sax. One of the things I like about Steve, he can make it sound as soft and sexy as you want (remember "Stay Awhile" from his 1998 debut CD) or he can go strong and blow you away. That takes talent, and talent he has!

"Woman's Gotta Have It." Most of us remember this song from the one and only Bobby Womack. He released that song in 1972 and it was #1 on the R&B charts. Now fast forward to 2016 and Steve Cole. Thank goodness for artists like Steve. Artists who never forget good music and always keep it alive by enhancing an already groovy sound with their own interpretation. This track will get a lot of play. Congratulations Steve. Job well done.

"Laws Of Attraction" and "Life Is A Groove" caught me off guard at first. The intro on both fooled me into thinking "oh, this is groovy." Then, he gets a little sultry with the sax. Pleasantly pleased and teased all at once; You'll understand once you hear it. Trust me. By the way, both tracks are smooth-grooved, and that's classic Steve Cole.

I remember Steve's first CD, "Stay Awhile." I played that thing morning, noon and night! I couldn't get enough. His music to me has always been hard driven, meaning he pours his heart and soul into his music, and this new project is no different. You can hear and feel the work he put in (maybe that's how he came up with the "WorkHouse" title track). It would make sense.

I'll leave you with this, listen to this CD not by the order of numbered tracks, but shuffle it. If you find yourself lost in the music, don't worry, at the end of your musical journey you'll discover it was a "Mirage."