Road to Freedom (album)
Road to Freedom | |
---|---|
Studio album by | |
Released | 1991 |
Recorded | October–November 1990 |
Genre | Soul, rock, acid jazz |
Label | Talkin' Loud |
Producer | Demus, Young Disciples |
Road to Freedom is the debut album of
Background
The Young Disciples were formed when British duo Femi Williams and Marco Nelson invited American vocalist Carleen Anderson to join them.[1] The trio released two singles, each of which charted separately twice: "Get Yourself Together" at number 68 (1990-10-13) and number 65 (1991-10-05) and "Apparently Nothin'" at number 46 (1991-02-23) and number 13 (1991-08-03).[2] A 1992 eponymous EP also charted, reaching number 48 (1992-09-02).[2]
The Independent described "Apparently Nothin'" as "era-defining", indicating that singer Anderson "became one of the most recognisable voices of the soul, jazz-funk movement" of the time and that the emergence of the band along with acts Soul II Soul, Omar, Incognito, D'Influence and Galliano "was as groundbreaking an era as black British music has ever known."[1] But in spite of the success of the singles and the album, which charted at number 21,[3] it was the only album the trio ever produced. According to Anderson, the album was a "fluke", as Nelson "never felt comfortable or wanted the role of being an artist".[1]
Release and reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Time Out | [10] |
Trouser Press | (favorable)[11] |
The album was first released in the UK in 1991 on the label
The album was critically well received.
Influence
In spite of underselling, it became a highly influential album in two genres. 2002's The Techno Primer indicates it was "very influential" in acid jazz, as the band "set the tone for this movement."
Track listing
- "Get Yourself Together" (Carleen Anderson, Marc Nelson, Femi Williams) – 6:13
- "Apparently Nothin'" (Anderson, Nelson) – 5:22
- "Funky Yeh Funki (Mek It)" (Nelson) – :40
- "Talkin' What I Feel" (Masta Ace, Nelson) – 4:08
- "All I Have (In Dub)" (Anderson, Demus, Nelson) – 5:22
- "Move On" (Anderson, Nelson) – 3:29
- "As We Come (To Be)" (Anderson) – 4:35
- "Step Right On (Dub)" (I. Bellow, Nelson, Williams) – 3:56
- "Freedom Suite: (I) Freedom/ (II) Wanting / (III) To Be Free" (Anderson, IG Culture, Demus, Michael Talbot) – 15:58
- "Young Disciples Theme" (MC Mell'O', Nelson, Williams) – 1:58
- Bonus tracks
1993 limited edition bonus disc. All tracks by Carleen Anderson and Marc Nelson.
- "Apparently Nothin' (Edit)" – 3:57
- "Apparently Nothin' (Soul River Edit)" – 3:53
- "Apparently Nothin' (The Re-Rub Edit)" – 3:37
- "Apparently Nothin' (Large Professor Rap Mix)" – 4:07
Personnel
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|
Charts
Chart (1991-92) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australian Albums (ARIA)[17] | 117 |
UK Albums Chart | 21 |
See also
References
- ^ a b c Verma, Rahul (2004-09-17). "Carleen Anderson: The Disciple of Soul". The Independent. Retrieved 2023-05-17.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-187-X.
- ^ a b c EW (2004-06-20). "Review: Road to Freedom". The Observer. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ Ankeny, Jason. Review: Road to Freedom. AllMusic. Retrieved on 2009-07-21.
- ^ a b Nelson, Trevor. "Review: Road to Freedom". BBC Radio 2. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ a b Columnist. "Review: Road to Freedom". Billboard: 53. February 6, 1993.
- NME. p. 33. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
- ^ "Picks and Pans Review: Road to Freedom". People Magazine. 1993-03-26.
- Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Mackness, Kerstan. Review: Road to Freedom. Retrieved on 2009-07-21.
- ^ a b c Chang, Jeff. "Review: Road to Freedom". Trouser Press. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ Tanzilo, Robert (1991-12-27). "1991: Music worth bragging about". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ^ Staff (1992-08-01). "Album reviews". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. p. L/16.
- ^ Staff (2004-06-20). "The 100 Greatest British Albums". The Observer. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
- ISBN 0-634-01788-8.
- ISBN 0-472-03147-3.
Road to Freedom Young Disciples.
- ^ "Bubbling Down Under Week Commencing 18 March 1991". Retrieved 20 March 2022.