Lenny Williams – Chill
This set focuses on former Tower of Power singer Lenny Williams who started as a solo artist with singles on the Fantasy, Galaxy & Atlantic/Atco labels. In 1972 he joined the Tower of Power on their self-titled 3rd gold LP. Lenny remained for 2 LPs & then returned to solo work on major labels.
From these major hip-hop & rap artists began sampling his work. In 1994 he issued a new 11th solo LP originally produced by Preston Glass (keys/sitar/bgv). This became Chill – (Omnivore/Platinum Group/Soul Music Records/Drops Feb. 23/56:00) a set out of print for 30 years now repackaged & remastered with 12 soulful/R&B sides from the Marathon & Bellmark/Life labels.
This kind of set is often anchored in emotional readings, with the music being in a sultry groove with fluid vibes sprinkled liberally throughout the melody lines. Williams has a warm silky vocal approach more in the Angelo Bond, Billy Paul & Donny Hathaway vintage than, say, Barry White who was too bedroom-oriented. All of this is born from the late Sam Cooke & maybe even early Johnny Mathis.
While these songs are purposely threaded in commercial/mainstream tailoring for optimum attraction to the charts, slow feet & bare soul — the songs are smooth as a baby’s behind.
The tune “Chill,” is well-balanced but “Baby, You Caught My Eye,” might be a little too syrupy. Williams’ vocal projection is rich & serene but drum programming & the reliance on falsetto turns on a lukewarm tap. The song itself isn’t bad but a need to pull up a little on the line to land this fish is needed. More horns possibly? I know the soul audience embraces falsetto, but I like Lenny’s dazzling natural voice & he has passion in his tone. He uses it well in “Has Anybody Seen My Heart.”
Highlights- “Chill,” “Sara Smile,” “Driftin,’” “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now,” “It Could Have Been You,” “Has Anybody Seen My Heart,” “No One’s Ever Loved Me” & “I Do.”
Musicians – Dave Kaffinetti, & Larry Batiste (keys), Ira Walker (programming), Rick Ballentine & Alan Glass (keys/drum programming/arrangement), Greg Gonaway (drums/percussion), Lenny, Lonnell Williams & Lenny Williams, Jr., Claytoven, Skyler Jett, Tim & Riessa Bell, Lori Jenaire, Lin Hall, Joel Jaffe, Jeanie Tracy, Porche Griffith, Dooney Jones, Larry Batiste (bgvs/arrangements), Louis Biancaniello, Mike Mani, Preston Glass & Felton Pilate (multi-instrumentalists), Lenny & Lonnell Williams (duet vocals), David Patterson (soprano sax), John Seppato & Dee Spencer (keys), Dooney Jones & Claytove (programming/arrangement/keys), Kevin Scoff (bass), Curtis Nutrall (drums), David Landon & Vernon Black (guitars), Ira Walker (programming), Larry Batiste & Dennis Wellington (programming/arrangement).
The reissue was produced by David Nathan/Cheryl Pawelski. Liner notes included by Kevin L. Goins. CD @ Amazon & https://omnivorerecordings.com/shop/chill/