Soul as a label has come to mean less and less since the 1990s. It became a byword for directionless warbling, the Mariah Carey school of flitting around the scales being incredibly dexterous vocally but lacking, ironically…soul.
Mercifully, this year has seen a much-welcomed rejuvination of the genre, seeing artists playing soul music which is recognisable as being in the same vein as classic Stax and Motown artists – the reason for this? They actually play musical instruments. Who’da thunk it?!
Lawrence Preston is a bassist, the much perennially unsung guitarist who is the glue which subtly binds so many classic songs. Having being tutored by Freddie Stone, of the legendary Sly and the Family Stone, he has mastered both the instrument and the art of song-writing. Though deftly written, Something for You is not drenched in overdubs and effects – it’s very much a case of less is more, allowing space for the music and the lyrics to breathe. Lawrence’s vocals are velvety smooth without being cloying or too saccharine – against, it’s so often about being economical with the music and having confidence in the song itself. We digress. Enjoy.
https://www.vevo.com/watch/lawrence-preston/something-for-you/TIVEV1725150