Jess Roden : Player Not The Game

YOU LOOK TO ME
LIKE MISTY ROSES
TOO SOFT TO TOUCH
BUT TOO LOVELY
TO LEAVE ALONE

Many British musicians 

have been influenced by

 American soul music, 

and today we'd like 

to introduce

 Jess Roden, 

a white soul singer who, 

despite being white, 

provides a funky beat 

and a sound that makes

 use of fakery and 

shouting.

He originally debuted in 1967 

with the Alan Brown Set 

and was a member of 

the Butts Band, 

which featured members of 

Bronco and 

The Doors + Gonzales,

but made his 

solo debut

in 1974  

produced by 

Allen Toussaint.

This is his second album, 

released in 1977, 

and arranged by 

Leon Pendarvis 

well known for his 

work with

 Quincy Jones 

and 

Roberta Flack. 

Jess Roden

 is an extraordinary singer

 who effortlessly sings

 a wide range of genres

including ballads, 

jazz and R&B. 

Since his music is based on

 R&B and soul, 

his singing is better than

 that of most

AOR singers. 

The soft and mellow intro to

 Misty Roses, 

and 

Jess Roden's vocals 

backed by 

electric piano, 

are enough to make you 

expect this to be 

a great album.

 The solo is also sophisticated,

as it is played by 

saxophone rather 

than guitar. 

The next track, 

Sensation,

 is a jazzy ballad 

with a pleasant electric piano 

and resonating vibraphone.

Roden gives us a 

George Benson-esque

 scatting performance, 

intertwined with 

virtuoso 

John Tropea's 

impressive solo. 

The funky mid-tempo track

3 Lonely Avenue,

 sung by

Ray Charles,

 is truly dark with its

 punchy vocals 

and gospel-style 

chorus work.

The Quiet Sound of 

You and I, 

which features a 

magnificent string arrangement, 

and

The Hardest Blow, 

which also features strings, 

electric piano, 

and saxophone, 

are also great songs 

to listen to.

 These are the perfect songs

to enjoy Roden's vocals.

The last song

 is the funky up tune  

In Me Tonight, 

which has a great percussion beat. 

Thanks to the use of 

top New York musicians 

such as

 Anthony Jackson, 

Francisco Centeno, 

John Tropea,

 and

 Arnold McCuller, 

the album has a

 sophisticated sound.

TRACKLIST

01. Misty Roses 

02. Sensation 

03. Lonely Avenue 

04. The Quiet Sound Of You And I 

05. The Hardest Blow 

06. Drinking Again 

07. Woman Across The Water 

08. In Me Tonight 

Bonus Tracks

Can't Get Next To You [*]

You Can Leave Your Hat On [*]

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