APHRODISIASC - Andre Williams (Vampi Soul Records/Fuse Music)
This one caused some degree of confusion and disagreement in la Casa del Honeysuckle, where Andre’s 2000 release, the almighty “Black Godfather”, is something of a Saturday night/Sunday morning staple. It’s very different in sound and tone, though still recognizable as the work of this long term scene veteran and survivor- in many senses of the word.
Recorded in Iowa City, and co-written with the backing band, the Diplomats of Solid Soul, this is a very different beast. Without Mick Collins at the helm and contributions from Jon Spencer and co., there's not so much of the stripped-down, fuzz drenched echo laden stuff like “The Dealer, The Stealer and The Peeler” or “Whip It” here. It’s much more classic sweet Hammond driven soul - although of course Andre would never go MOR. There are some killer beats, sharp stinging guitar and harmonies galore, here.
You get a lot a less bitches and hos, though there is still plenty of (ahem) cocksure boasting, especially in the opening track “The Hold Up’, where a backing chorus of young lovelies play call and response. There’s even a love song here, from the recently married man to his woman.
“3 Sisters” covers the impact of hurricanes Rita, Wilma and, most recently, Katrina had on New Orleans - surely the most natural setting for a guy like Andre, until he finds himself living in a tent, with bodies on the streets and the army sent in. “Uptown Hustle” mixes Shaft-style funk with a semi-rap vocal, talking of street games and grift.
He is still the master of the single entendre when he wants to be- witness “Chrysler 300”(If you want a sweet ride, with the back seat nice and wide/Baby hop inside, and I’ll show ya how a real man drives”) or the self explanatory “Thunder Thighs”
And he even publicly pledges to give up his long standing and very public love for Mary-Juana, too.
Look, the guy has put in enough hard yards to earn everything he can wring out of his past life, and his back catalogue. For my money, this new material proves he still deserves attention. If you need any background before deciding to take the plunge, there is a new collection of his old stuff, “Moving On With Andre Williams”, available now as well.- TJ Honeysuckle
(of Thunderbird, probably)
