REVIEW: Ian Willson – Straight From The Heart album review

Here we have another dollop of musical greatness that has suffered the fate of similarly stunning albums such as The Train Set Never California, Reggie King Looking For A Dream and Candy Opera 45 Revolutions Per Minute. Privately pressed by Ian Willson in 1985 Straight From The Heart, now released via Be With Records, this classic piece of 80’s synth, funk, jazz and soul weighs up as a mighty piece of work, something the likes of Cameo, Donald Byrd and Kool and the Gang would have been proud of.

Straight From The Heart doubles as a dancefloor disco athemic beast, a collectors dream, with original copies of the album fetching impressive figures, the reason why is the music that is contained within. Think About It kicks things off in a upbeat tone, with a down the line pure funk element. If I Were You is a beauty of jazz samba spaced out track that the likes of Gilles Peterson would play within an instant.

Two Is Better Than One needs no excuse to carry the baton of groove, percussion rich with a warmth of California soul, the skaters along sunset strip would bust their best moves to these enchanting tunes. Song For Katelyn enters with a delicious saxophone instrumental, the sort of track Hall and Oates would have paid a decent wage for. What makes the record even more remarkable is Willson produced and played all the instruments, bar a few guitar parts all by himself. With influences including Average White Band and Stevie Wonder, it’s no surprise that fans of these great musicians will only marvel at the end product on show here. A remarkable unheard gem of a record.

Straight From The Heart will be released on 17^th April 2020 and is available for pre order via the following link