ALEX WILSON - INGLATERRA (2007)

1. La Vida Que Nos Merecemos (Crespo/Giovannini/Wilson/MCS)
2. Show Me (Giovannini/Pearce/Wilson/MCS)
3. Oh Kuri (Bhamra/WIlson/MCS)
4. Ain't Nobody (Wolinski/EMI Music Publishing)
5. Pega' En Inglaterra (Chacon/Wilson/MCS)
6. Sube Lo (Criolla/Ortiz/Wilson/MCS)
7. Inglaterra (Jimenez/Wilson/MCS)
8. Nature Boy (Ahbez/Crestview-Music Corp/Chappell Morris Ltd)
9. Show Me Remix (Giovannini/Pearce/Wilson/MCS)

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Review By Gillian Heaton

It felt like I'd been waiting forever for this cd when I finally got it on it's release date in February. Ever since buying 'Show Me' over a year ago, which was released on single, I've been waiting to hear the album. It's been two years in the making but the big  question is....was it worth the wait?

Inglaterra is Alex's 5th album and to quote him: 'I have set my jazziness aside for another album' so if you're buying this album  don't expect to hear the Latin Jazz for which he's probably best known, instead expect an explosion of different musical influences and you won't be disappointed.

Although my initial reaction was one of disappointment at the length of the album (a mere 41.9 minutes and just 9 tracks) I was quickly reminded that it's quality not quantity that counts and this cd is quality. The content is diverse and ambitious to say the least, from Cuban style to R&B Salsa and from the more traditional salsa formula to salsa fused with Bhangra, it's certainly an eclectic collection.

'Show Me' is an original salsa/soul composition and has been a dance floor hit over here in the UK for quite some time, there are two versions on this album, the original version and a reggaeton remix,
both featuring the fantastic vocals of co-writer Mary Pearce. The original version is still by far the best for the salsa dancer as the  remix is a little too slow and the beat seems more suited to Lambada.

If there is one track on this album that has the same appeal as 'Show Me', it's Alex's interpretation of the Chaka Khan hit 'Ain't Nobody', a shining example of Alex's ability to fuse two different genres together without compromise. This is already proving to be a big hit in the UK.

If I had to pick a personal favorite, it would be the title track 'Inglaterra' which is a fierce, more traditional salsa track with fantastic vocals, horns and percussion all held together, as always, by Alex on piano. I first played this track a few months ago (it was available on the 'Beginners Guide To Salsa Vol 2') and there was, and
continues to be, a great response from the dancers, 6.05 minutes of pure dancing bliss!!.

The bhangra/salsa crossover track 'Oh Kuri' is fresh, fun and exciting, everything tells me it shouldn't work......but it really does!! The bhangra vocals provided by Shahid Abbas Khan sung over a traditional salsa beat makes one sit up and take notice, I found it very strange at first (I think I even laughed!) but without doubt it's infectious.

More 'traditional' salsa tracks are 'La Vida Que Nos Merecemos' and the cuban flavoured 'Pega En Inglaterra' which are fine examples that a Brit can hold his own with the best of the latin composers, arrangers and band leaders. In fact, Alex co-wrote all but two tracks on this album ( 'Ain't Nobody' and 'Nature Boy') and they are all tracks he can be proud of.

To answer my original question, was it worth the wait.......YES!!! It's great fun, not one for the 'purists' but if you don't take it too seriously and want to cheer up a room....pop this on!!

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