Dear Hopeful Canadian Soul and/or Jazz Fans, 

I desperately want to like something lauded as having "a feel for classic soul and R&B [that] wouldn't sound out of place on a Stax or Atlantic album from the late 60's". But I don't.   

I desperately want to pretend I can hear Ella James scat-battling with Duane Allman's best riff collection. But I don't. Are they better live than in recorded form? Perhaps, because this is Alannah Myles and Santana fighting for tape time (with neither one of them getting the talent-showcasing take they're looking for). 

I desperately want to enjoy an album Howard Forman (songwriter, producer and musician for Groove Kings) said he took his time on so as to "make something that doesn't suck".

I desperately wish I could say he did. Sorry.

Love,  Rachel Rain Packota 

PS:  "I'm The Rain" is totally the saviour of "Blood Red".  It's smooth, groovy, and is full of sexy, suggestive lyrics "I'm the Rain/All my lovers get wet/But they never forget/Feeling satisfied/So you're hair is a mess/But you have to confess/It's worth it Babe." Bring me an album full of songs as sassy and soft as this one, and THEN you have a winner.

Track Listing:
1. Blood Red
2. Real Love
3. Temporary Man
4. Chore
5. I'm The Rain
6. That Lie
7. Bury Me
8. So Real To Me
9. What Did You Think I Would Do?
10. What's Real