The Embers

THE EMBERS: THE SHOW MUST GO ON: BLUEWATER RECORDINGS: JULY 2007:


It has been several years since The Embers and Bluewater Recordings had a release. The music world has been hearing rumors for sometime of the forthcoming project. Well, the long wait is over. I have been privy to be one of a few to receive an advance copy of this truly phenomenal project. My first listen nearly resulted in me picking up the phone and calling the Producer “Charles Wallert” to ask him what soul group had he hired to replace the group of shiny white faces known as “The Embers”. That’s right the Ember have truly embraced the soul sound of Motown and “Philly” through their use of dueling lead singers (Wayne Free & Jerry Teller) paired with the use of full background vocals, orchestration utilizing real strings, horns, creative percussive instrumentation and what I will call intuitive musicality. Which to me means bringing a musical feature to its natural resolution harmonically and performance wise. Jerry and Wayne as lead vocalists each provide us with a believable emotional interpretation individually or when engaged in musical exchanges and interchanges. The out front use of dual leads or supporting leads out front and stage center with grand modulations, harmonic balance and offset all reflect the best of what keeps drawing generations back to the Motown & Philly Sound. This project contains a total of twelve tracks ranging from covers of little heard works by the late O.C. Smith, George Benson and Yolanda Adams to original product created specifically for this album.

As is my custom I generally note my favorites but unfortunately of the 12 tracks I am having a bit of difficulty selecting two or three. However, I will single out a few but remember the others that are not selected for comment are of no less quality. Let me begin with track one “The Last Time I’m Sayin’ Goodbye”. A grand piece that immediately grabs your attention and says “Listen”: containing intricate blends of background vocal harmonies and instrumentation overlaid with a solid strong lead. Musically, its use of modulations along with instrument and vocal presence placement makes this one to remember. Moving on to track two “You Mean The World To Me Sweetheart” you discover a cover of a song written by Steals and previously performed by the late O.C. Smith. It utilizes full orchestration, double leads and easy tempo which simply bring it to another level as related to its original version. Track five “Never Give It Up” originally performed by Yolanda Adams and written by Adams, Harris, Lewis and Wright for Yolanda’s “The Best of Me” album features dueling leads, a very sophisticated use of percussive instruments along with a very catchy lyric. Track seven “The Show Must Go On” is without a doubt a song not only for the musicians performing it but for anyone who has ever had to push on through despite all odds. Deceptively simple in its construction, Wayne’s heart felt interpretation paired with supporting strings and perfectly positioned harmonic backgrounds causes one to attend to this one.
My final comment on individual tracks focuses on track 8. A duet performed by Jerry Teller and Tanya Hall. Their vocal blends have the musical consistency of homemade vanilla ice cream with hot fudge swilled on, in and around it. It short it is well balanced in all facets.

On The “Ole Give It To Mikey, He’ll Play It Rating Scale” this project is without a doubt a very strong A+. It contains multiple dance tracks for all forms of swing, inclusive of Carolina, East and West Coast Swing, Cha Cha, Fox Trot and of coarse the snuggle up and let’s get personal Belly Rubber. Additionally, the album offers something for the various recognized categories ranging from Soul, R n B, and Urban, to Adult Contemporary which no recent product produced by a Carolina based group has delivered. That is National Marketability and Mass Appeal. Now this may not sit well with the so called Beach Music purists but if you really look back to the day when the kids came to the beach to discover music that mom and dad wouldn’t approve of…. Well you’d find a sound that is clearly reflected here in today’s more evolved and sophisticated form. Great Job Embers and Bluewater Recordings for giving us a product that will make waves from coast to coast.
- Mike Roberts

Producer, Charles Wallert, got in touch with me a couple of years back. At the time the guys (he and a group called The Embers) had a CD entitled 'Beach Music'. That was a great album, so I promoted the set here and then waited. Last Saturday Charles got back in touch. This time the e-mail had an mp3 attachment, which I downloaded and took a listen to. Their new single is called 'The Last Time I'm Saying Goodbye', and I think this is the best song the guys have recorded thus far. When I was younger, back in the Seventies, all music was made like this. Real strings, brass section etc. All I can say about this song is it is wonderful. When the album hits the streets here, you guys will be the first to know. If any of the further tracks is even half as good as this song, it will be an essential purchase. More from Charles.


Peter Young Show (including 'The Soul Cellar')
102.2 Smooth Radio
5.00 - 8.00pm

Saturday 29th September 2007

- Toby Walker