SoulTracks.com Review

www.soultracks.com

In a time when the music industry has grown too smart for itself, when radio is filled with overproduced, mechanical songs that are more about attitude than music, a casual listener would be led to believe that organic soul music no longer existed.  And that's what makes an album like Hopes Too High that much more special.  Sounding like they simply grabbed their instruments in a club and started playing, Marcell & the Truth deliver a stunning set of songs here that are equally inspired and inspiring.  The group effecively mixes elements of jazz, soul and blues, sounding like the rightful heirs of Frankie Beverly and Maze, but with slightly rougher edges.  And while the disc consists mostly of midtempo numbers and relatively simple arrangements, it never sounds repetitive or stale.  To the contrary, the simplicity makes it more effective, allowing a bluesy guitar riff or a mournful organ note to alone carry the moment, and bringing even more attention to the fourteen excellent compositions that comprise Hopes Too High.  Kudos to producer Teddy Douglas, who makes all the right moves in matching musical moods to lyrical content, from the innocent vocal harmonies of the title cut to the almost eerie tension (reminiscent of the the Dramatics' "In the Rain") underlying the break-up song "Maybe I'm Not the Man" to the joyous build-up throughout the standout track "Time Stops."

There will be many more popular and more critically trumpeted albums in 2007 than Hopes Too High, but it will be tough to find many that are better.  This is a nearly timeless disc that would have been as notable in 1977 as it is in 2007.  But by any measure, it is a keeper -- as are Marcell & the Truth.  Very highly recommended.

Blues and Soul Magazine UK

By: Bill Buckley

I know the Basement Boys label, but I don’t know Marcel and theTruth. If I didn’t know better I’d suggest that the great David Peaston has morphed into Marcel Russell, the lead singer here. Russell, you see, has one of those huge gospel reared voices that can do both whispers and screams with pure soul beauty. Hear that to best effect on this album’s title cut. “Hopes Too High” is simply one of the best real soul ballads I’ve heard this year. Boasting gentle Temptations style harmonies, the song has lovely melody and a delicious hook in the title line and Marcel plays it to perfection.  There’s lots more great balladry here to notably “Maybe I’m Not The Man” (with a hint of “In The Rain”), “Time Stops” and “Its Been Too Long”. The best up-tempo cut is the wah-wah led ”Evil Woman”, while “Please Come Down” is a gentle mid-tempo shuffle. The opener “Never Leave You Lonely” is another delicious mid-tempo beater, while for classic old school soul testifying try ”Coming Home To You”. I loved that one, but in honesty I kept coming back to “Hopes Too High” its just one of those great recordings that only real soul people connect with. I guess you are so this is for you - honest.
(RATING 4)

Roger Williams

www.solarradio.com

A brand new name and band to me for 2006, this is definitely an album that should be investigated immediately!! The overall feel of the album is quite laid back and gentle, which is interesting given it's released on Basement Boys, a label I had only previously known for releasing good quality gospel-house music.  The album is very well produced and the songwriting and performing is top quality, particularly the lead vocalist Marcell Russell has been compared quite rightly to greats such as David Peaston, Rance Allen and Frankie Beverley, though to my ears he sound uncannily like the brilliant Big Brooklyn Red.  But comparisons aside, Marcell has a superb rich voice which shines through on most tracks, particularly the stunning title track 'Hopes Too High', a track that has caught the attention of most who've heard this set, a beautiful mid-downtempo and melodic groove.  'Breathe Love' and 'Please Come Down' were probably the first tracks that caught my attention, both being summery rolling gems, I particularly liked the reggae overtones towards the end of 'Breathe Love'. 'Your Eyes' has a quality meandering lazy groove with some nice twists and turns, and of the rest of the tracks 'Coming Home To You' is downtempo and bluesy; 'It Ain't Over' is one of the more uptempo moments on the album showing quite a lot of 70s soul influence, as does the excellent 'Been Too Long'.  But if I had to pick my favourite track from the set it would the beautiful 'Time Stops', a quite wonderful understated song and performance all round from Marcell and the band, totally my kind of groove.  All in all another CD not to be missed.

Tracey Cope

www.justsoul.net

A consistently good album which you will want to listen to, tackling friendships, loneliness, bitterness and his walk with God. The first track ‘Never Leave You Lonely’ sets the tone – an uplifting, dance tune. Second track ‘Hopes Too High’ is a soulful song, saying his lady simplifies the complicated world he lives in and “how great the gift of love provides”. Onto the title track of the album ‘Hopes Too High’, a good tune which questions a special relationship. ‘Breathe Love’ – all day - is one of my favourite tracks on the album with infectious rhythms, making you sway to the music and enticing you into the inspiring lyrics of “we can change the world if we learn to give”. It ‘Aint Over’ being a funkier tune and ‘Maybe I’m Not The Man’ a mid tempo ballad stating, “if it’s not right – maybe we should move on”. ‘Coming Home To You’ has a blues feel at the opening with an intensely up-tempo ending. You will find tasteful beats on ‘Evil Woman’ and ‘They Don’t Know’ has sexy vocals on a bass filled funkier track – another favourite of mine. The Jazz tinged ‘Cold Rain’ questions his faith saying “he is tired of the pain, his house is filled with many things, but feels so empty ‘cos love is missing, feeling like God has abandoned him”. Then straight onto ‘Time Stops’ with sweet percussion sounds, the music stopping to give emphasis to the lyrics/song title. ‘It’s Been Too Long’ is a guitar and drum driven track and I enjoyed how the guitars ‘talk’ you through the song. Heartfelt lyrics with cries of “why did you have to judge me! Why can’t you just love me?” The last track is a funkier track called ‘It ‘Aint Over’. Evident throughout the album are the clever melodies and quality of the musicians. Marcell and his group is a band, you know would put on quite a show if you saw them live. This studio produced, sensitive album is trying to make sense of life and religion and is like a soothing balm in a world full of deep cuts.

WHAT THE PEOPLE ARE SAYING!

Calvin Richardson, Jr. (Ellicott City, Maryland United States)

Without question, some of the purest music the world will ever hear. From the first track till the last it never loses the realness, the passion and the authenticity that is found some of our most legendary soul artists. It's only a matter of time that the masses will sing their praises.

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England)

Great uplifting soul album from this Baltimore-based quartet. This is a real band using real instruments and the lead vocalist has one of the most authentic old-school type soul voices I've heard this year. These are all original songs too.
The music is very gospel influenced though far from preachy, and it is consistently good listening from start to finish. I do have favourites though, including the fantastic opener, "Never Leave You Lonely", "Hopes Too High", "Breathe Love", "Maybe I'm Not The Man", "Evil Woman" (which I'm sure uses the riff from Donny Hathaway's "Valdez In The Country", though this is not acknowledged), "They Don't Know", "Time Stops" (heartfelt balladry at its best) and the funky closer, "It Ain't Over".
This is how music is supposed to be made and why this group isn't being hailed from the rooftops, I will never know. I would never have heard of them if not for a UK-based black music monthly magazine. If you like soul like it was made back in the day, you will probably love this. Get a copy while you can.

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