Who Loves You? (Expanded Edition)

80年代初頭からN.Y.サウンドの流行をつくり見事シーンの先駆者としてその名を世界中に知らしめたカシーフ。90年代初頭より悲しくもディスコ・ブームも完全に去り、新たにニュー・ジャック・スウィングの歴史の幕開けと共にカシーフも陽の目に浴びる機会は次第に減って行ってしまいました。カシーフのキャリアを考えれば決して良き時代ではないかもしれませんが、流行を意識しない当時本当にやりたかった、本物のR&Bがこの1枚に集約されております。アルバムのオープニング・ナンバーの「Bed You Down」からナイス・アーバン・ミッドで掴み、2曲目の「Good Ol'Days」はトニー・トニー・トニーのDwayne Wigginsがお得意のギターとバック・コーラスで参加し。極上のドリーミー・ミッドを聴かせてくれます!他にもクワイエット・キングのゲイリー・テイラー参加「Rhythm Of My Mind」やMO JAZZレーベルの看板デュオでお馴染みIMPROMP2のJOHNNY BRITTや大御所シーラ・Eなど参加など、とにかくその筋の職人が一同に集結した素晴らしいアルバムなんです!約20年の時を越えてお世辞にもオリジナル盤のジャケはカッコイイとは言えないが、ジャケも一新してボーナス・トラックを5曲も追加と来れば、これは手に取るしかないですね!今こそ本気で聴いて欲しい大人の為のR&Bがここに!

Kashif's credits includes chart-topping hits by Whitney Houston and Evelyn Champagne King as well as his own solo hits. On Who Loves You? his debut album for U.K. label Expansion Records, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist/producer pretty much sticks to the urban comtemporary sound he helped create in the '80s; though the grooves are tighter, he's grown vocally and there's a definite jazz vibe throughout (Wes Montgomery-ish guitar fills are sprinkled on almost every track) that's also influenced by hip-hop. "Step Into My World," a track from his 1989 LP Kashif, was embranced by the steppers. The instrumental "Brooklyn Dreams" seems tailor-made for stepping with its dusky vibe, solid, midtempo beat, floaty electric piano, jazzy guitar, and David Hart's harmonica fills a la Stevie Wonder. The same could be said for "Mingo Weya." "Bed You Down" chugs along like Kool & the Gang's "Ladies Night." Other standout tracks are "Good Ol' Days," the blues-tinged "I Don't Give a Damn," the ode for peace "Can We Just Get Along" (whose feel recalls Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" at times), the lush and kickin' "It's Alright," and "Rhythm of My Mind" (co-written and co-produced by Gary Taylor). It's good to hear that Kashif, who pioneered R&B-based all-synth music with King's "I'm in Love," has found his place in the 21st century. ~ Ed Hogan|