This week i recieved the album "Beyond Comprehension" of the American Soul and Gospel Singer Freddie Lee for review. This album was original released in 2008. But Freddie has been making waves on the UK soul scene recently with his debut album. Next month he will be featured in Blues and Soul Magazine and Soul Survivors Magazine after hitting No.12 in the Solar Radio album charts. Music from the album is currently playing on all BBC regionals stations, Solar Radio, Starpoint Radio, Newstyle Radio FM.

The album starts with 'Brighter Days' a great track with a beautiful melodie line, nice vocals, and a lot of horns. It has a Typical Earth Wind And Fire sound. The music of the second track "Great I am" is catching so are the vocals. One of my favourites.

In his songs he refer, with vocal replications, to some 70s and 80s tunes Like 'Something Inside So Strong', Ain't no mountain High Enough', 'I Knew You Were Waiting For Me', 'Moving On Up Higher' from the Mighty Clouds Of Joy. A midtempo track with plentiful 'church' vocals is 'Hold On' a very catchy tune. Another favourite.
Another great tune is "Waiting for me" with a perfect balans between the lead and background vocals on a beautiful piece of music. The background singers, mostly woman, have wonderful voices. 'Friends' is An urban track with a piano riff that ride on steady beat. The downtempo, funky track 'The Way I Found U' is led by an funky guitar riff.

The soulful track 'Oh How I Love You' is a great track with nice strings and a chic a like guitar, and of course the splendid explicit vocals of Freddie. The Mighty Clouds Of Joy lyric 'Higher' is the title of track #8 an uptempo singalong track with well known 'Movin' On Up' lyric. The vocals on 'Never Wanna Be Alone' comes directly from Freddie's heart, you can hear that.Overall this is a great album with a great mix of slow and fast gospel, urban, funky and soul tunes. To hear the whole album you can check out samples on www.cdbaby.com/freddielee or go to Napster and ITunes.

Mark Berbiers Soulandfunkmusic.com