Phil & Brenda Nicholas - Back To Basics

Saturday 1st February 1992
Phil & Brenda Nicholas - Back To Basics

STYLE: Gospel
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 4179-4962
LABEL: Command 7015519038
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

There's something slightly ludicrous in an album title like that, linked to a cheesy cover shot featuring Phil and Brenda showing off their jewellery and Rolex. And, for this reviewer, there's also something highly embarrassing when LA's popular husband and wife duo go into their now expected monologues, which are so high on gushing sentimentality and Middle America affectation that even when they speak of ghetto muggings and crack-filled streets they sound like censorious school teachers, rather than products of the ghetto streets they presumably are. But what of the music? I can report the duo have turned in a reasonable pop-soul-gospel set and have thankfully dumped some of the fussy over-orchestration which marred earlier albums. The highly catchy "How Long Can This Go On?" with its minimal spiritual references beyond the "oh what a terrible state our nation is in" truisms sound like a radio hit with its slinky dance beat, while the ballad "Prayer Changes Things" is soulfully inspiring. Nicholas enthusiasts, of which there are plenty, will want this.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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