Welcome to the album review page
Here you will find reviews about the album "Beyond Comprehension" by
Freddie Lee, from famous faces, DJ's, media, record stores and from members of the public. Feel free to write in with your reviews and we will post them on this page.
Album Reviews ::
CLYDE ORANGE from THE COMMODORES
I had the honour of meeting one of my soul heros when we were both in Miami in 2008 giving interviews to Chief Jimmie Brown on HOT 105FM. A few days later he called my manager and here is what he had to say....
"There is music but then there is good music. This boy and this album is hot!"
GLEN GOLDSMITH
UK SOUL STAR AND HIT SONG WRITER
Glen Goldsmith has 4 Chart hits to his name such as "Dreamin" " I Won't Cry" "Save A Little Bit" and "What You See is What You Get". He wrote 2 No.1 hits and a No.3 hit for Peter Andre which include "Mysterious Girl" "I Feel You" and "Flava". He also wrote material for MC Hammer, Dani Minogue, MN8, Rozalla and for Simon Cowell's X Factor contestents. Here is his verdict on Freddie Lee's album...
"This is a masterpieces and it is going all the way to the top!"
SOULCHOONZ
One of the UK’s leading Soul Music website & Radio Shows. Broadcast over 50 shows per month on FM radio stations worldwide.
When you pick up this CD and look at Freddie there are elements to his aspect of Morris Day and Mikki Bleu. Vocally this Florida native has a home-grown, gruff style that would not be out of place on a Gospel release. He's a true exponent of traditional soul singing and not a nasal whiner by any stretch of the major label imagination. I spoke about Larry Graham in the performance of William Scott a few reviews ago, and this also applies to this gentleman. I hear inflections of the great man here and this does nothing but make songs such as "Brighter Days" possess more weight, kudos and punch. This beaty, lumbering yet positive ditty contains elements of Labi Siffri's "Something Inside So Strong" within the lyrics, but in no way apes the whole song. I guess today this is knows as...'homage'. This positivity continues unabashed with the perky ""Great I Am". I like songs like this from real, bonafide soul singers. Singers like Freddie have known very hard times, and the process of overcoming is something very powerful. Freddie's conviction from his own struggle is plainly evident in his songs and his singing. Thus the tradition of the real soul singer.
The song that really should get radio exposure is the jubilant "Waiting For Me". No song on here exemplifies all that I have expounded on here better than this. Again, cleverly utilising sections of Aretha Franklin's "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me" this joyous outing will do nowt but impress. "Friend" opens with a really impressive monologue that would not be out of place on an Calvin Richardson or Bobby Womack album. This midtempo jam will certainly win some friends upon hearing. On a gospel note, Freddie does exactly what I like to hear - he stylises a song in a way that would appeal to those of a non-secular nature as well as merry appreciators of, say, Richard Dawkins! I cannot get to grips with too much overt religion but you know that this is what Freddie is mixing in here...and this works for me and will without doubt have greater appeal. If you love Glenn Jones then "Beyond Comprehension" is a track for you! Freddie sounds so much like Glenn Jones - even the UK's very own Bryan Powell on here. This track is SUPERB. I would buy the CD for this track alone, and am sure that a visit to CD Baby and a quick listen will convince you to click on 'purchase'. If you're looking for warmth and comfort on these cold, icy snowy January nights then look no further than...Freddie Lee.
Barry Towler - The Vibe Scribe
BLUES & SOUL MAGAZINE
www.bluesandsoul.com
Freddie Lee has delivered the goods with his new cd "Beyond Comprehension." Out and out gospel is the order of the day. Freddie's voice touches you with a hurricane of emotion (like all the greats such as Al Green) and the tunes are beautifully crafted highlighting Freddie's overt talent.
'Mother said' is an absolute tour de force of intrepid soul music. Freddie spills his heart on this one through his trials tribulations and life changing experiences garnered all together for one belter of a tune!!
'Many More' a strange exotic number with it's unusual but captivating arrangement (bringing to mind Donny Hathaway) the track builds and it's multi layers gives the perfect springboard for FG's soaring, searing vocal spinning off a lusty sax that crescendos magnificently at the end.
'Waiting for me' is another great tune on this enchanting album, great bv's and catchy guitar loop, it's a clever and highly stylised interpretation. For lovers of gospel and soul music of now, this is an extremely well produced cd and executed by a real master (and his master's voice!) is a must !
- Emrys Baird
SOUL BROTHER RECORDS UK
www.soulbrother.com
"Well produced soul album from US soul singer recorded in Birmingham UK. Features good songs with melodies and strong vocals. ‘Oh How I Love You’ is a memorable mid tempo stepper with a great hook line. The more up-tempo ‘Higher’ and ‘Great I am’ and the mid tempo ‘Never Wanna Be Alone’ ‘Brighter Days’ and ‘The Way I Found You’ are also very good. A solid soul album".
SOUL HEAVEN MUSIC UK
www.soulheavenmusicuk.com
This is an album that has been promoted heavily on Starpoint Radio and I am delighted to be able to bring this album to your attention on Soul Heaven Music UK. This album is for serious soul lovers and you will not be disappointed. I think this album is a breath of fresh air and Freddie has a deep soulful voice that will remind you of the days when people really could sing from the heart and sound like they mean it. Freddie has been making waves on the UK soul scene recently and quite deservedly so too. Expect this album to be featured heavily on Soul Heaven in 2010. Grab yourselves a copy today, I know you will love this. For more information about Freddie please check out the links below. My thanks to Jessie Tsang for sending me the CD and information on Freddie Lee.
SOUL AND FUNK MUSIC
www.soulandfunkmusic.com
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 melody 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 'Great I Am' a very catchy tune. Another favourite.
Another great tune is "Waiting for me" with a perfect balance between the lead and background vocals on a beautiful piece of music. The background singers, mostly women, 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
SOUL ESSENCE on
The Soul Discovery show on 209 radio
www.soul-essence.co.uk
"Of the newer music then I suspect that the fabulous Freddie Lee and his anthemic "Oh how I love you" will cause some serious dance floor activity, rolling along in its mid tempo groove and the mans vocals riding the groove effortlessly, when the hook gets into your head, you won’t be able to help yourselves. The album is titled “Beyond Comprehension” soul music 2009 style".
Gouch
DJ TONY MONSON
Manager of SOLAR RADIO
www.solarradio.com
"Beyond Comprehension is definitely the best Soul/Gospel album I have heard this year".
DJ TONY ROOTS
NEWSTYLE RADIO FM
"Beyond Comprehension by Freddie Lee a sensational album and trust me, it's one for your collection"
CROSS RHYTHMS RADIO
IAN HAYTER
RATED 8/10
Freddie Lee Peterkin has had a tough life. Raised in Florida in a poor farm-labouring family and struggling with all kinds of problems and obstacles, Freddie Lee managed to rise above them with the help of his faith and his music. His godmother, a church choir director, helped him on his way and he eventually went through college and then formed a group, ACES, with whom he toured Europe working mainly in the tribute artist niche.
This debut solo album, produced in Britain by Tony Bean and Colin Bassett, showcases both his voice and his songwriting skills. The songs certainly bear the stamp of his early difficulties, but both the vocal arrangements (by Lee himself) and the glossy old school soul arrangements (by Bean) glow with a faith and an optimism that really shine out. From the opening "Brighter Days" through the soulful "Waiting For Me" to the closing "Worthy To Be Praised", there is no doubting either Freddie's commitment or talent. And there's some great support from an ensemble of guitar, brass and keyboards, as well as a powerful bunch of backing singers including the that underrated diva Tracey Riggan. If you've a taste for old school soul crooners but want them singing songs of faith rather than "lurve", this set is for you.
