Full listing

It is a pleasant surprise then, to find myself really liking this album. You know you're in for a treat as soon as you hit the play button. "Oooh, I want to be free" emerges from the speakers in a graceful near-angelic voice, before the opening track "Free" effortlessly glides into its upbeat swing rhythm. Probably the strongest potential hit on the album, though sadly I don't think there were any singles from this 1994 release.

"Free" has harmonies in abundance, but there is plenty more to come.  "Don't Ask Me Why", after its spoken intro continues in the same vein, still a decent track, while "Mind Trippin'" changes tack slightly. This one has a slightly more melancholic feel, but isn't particularly refreshing for me. With "Swingin' Solo", I start worry that we're veering into mediocre territory. There's nothing wrong with the song, but a fairly standard swingbeat affair with "swing" in its name. Oh well!

Enter Troy Taylor (sorry, never heard of him!) to the rescue. With this duet, "Win You Over" Debelah makes a nice comeback and does just that. I don't mind this one at all, it is very pleasant and I can relate to the lyrics "I just want to win you over to me". We've all felt like that I'm sure!

"We Had A Good Thing Going" has a fantastic start, a somewhat atmospheric buildup which leads you nicely into this laid-back yet never bland song. Like most of the album, there are fairly complicated vocal arrangements and the backing singers play a big part. "Floating" has a more standard intro, but the song is still cool. Lay on your back, close your eyes and imagine you are up in the clouds. Unless you have a fear of flying of course!

"Take It Easy" is one of many songs about relationships, this time with some impassioned pleas to a lover to treat her gently, take it easy, the vocals gently oozing emotion here and contributing nicely to the album's overall feel. You could listen to this over a candlelit dinner, or with the lights down low before going to bed. The theme continues nicely with "Passion". In fact the whole album has a nice balance between variety and consistency.

The mood lifts nicely with an excellent penultimate track, "You Are The Joy". With the positive lyrics, "you are the joy in my life", again something I can closely relate to right now, this track has some of the best production, best drum beats, superb vocal range, control and soul from Debelah, and some great harmonies. Probably my favourite track on the album.

And finally, another duet. A cover of a Rick James song, Debelah is this time joined by Kenny Harper (also unfamiliar to me) for an emotional treat. Their slow, crooning voices blend nicely together for some true "Fire And Desire". Great stuff indeed.