Check for BRAND NEW HEAVIES and INCOGNITO’s worthy heirs!!! A unique blend of Groove and Soul that I haven’t heard for a long time... A tasty menu with the more exquisite dishes...

Watch it !! I’m not overstating here, I’m weighing my words. This group ROCKS DA HOUSE and I do hope this review will convince you... In any case, I’m sticking to my opinion, they’ll be one of my flavor of the year (best new act Awards ;o) no doubt about it!!

This album is not their first try after their debut album "Five Point Plan" (back in 1999) followed by “Rare", released last year. I dare say they did very well with this particularly difficult exercise of confirmation. It is simply GREAT!!! Their sound is so pure and classy that you could bet they come from England... How wrong! They are from San Francisco CA.

As their name shows, FIVE POINT PLAN is the common musical vision of 5 individuals (one girl and four boys). Yet; it seems obvious (by listening the album and reading the sleeve notes) that the duet Latrice Barnett (THE Singer) and Michael Cruz (Bass) plays a central role within the group. Though they composed 7 out of the 11 tracks on the album, all the songs are the fruit of the collaboration of binomials: it shows their individual abilities in the contribution to the general outcome. That’s rare very rare ;o))) It gives you a hint of their talent and potential, individually and collectively...

To go on with the similarities with Brand New Heavies, with whom they share the same sense of groove and swing, I can’t help from thinking of N’Dea Davenport when I hear Latrice singing... This girl has charisma and enjoys a one-of-a-kind talent.

" Solid Ground " starts with light effects (" surround-reverb " and scratches) emphasized by the drums. The beat is already going on strong with Latrice’s glossed voice. We’ll defintely talk about her again... Shoot!!! I’ve been only listening for 10 seconds and I love it already... The grooves isn’t only subtle, but it’s also elegant and very elaborated; the rhythm is strong!!! Just like Brand New Heavies as I formerly said !!!!

They press on (still with the fine sounds, the scratches that help create consistency) with " Feel your Soul ", and I think its even better. Irresistible ! All these talented musicians whose only goal is to make us groove at any cost: the bass is heavy, very heavy. This is Acid Jazz or I do not know myself there (I’m wriggling so much that I‘m going through hell typing on my keyboard and I can’t hardly concentrate to describe this bomb quintessence).
The goes crescendo until the final’s apotheosis when the five musicians break out. The group is dope.

" Second Time " works like a cool breeze. A much welcome moment of truce (not sure of keeping that tough rhythm). Turn down the lights and chill because the mood is suddenly getting quiet, even if the song rises crescendo.
Their “savoir faire” can be heard through a very successful mid-tempo with melancholic words.

" Dawn "’s intro does remind me of INCOGNITO‘s efficiency and talent... The whole thing lies in the combination of harmonies, violins having a say in the matter. It may sound simple and easy to do (the sound goes right to the point so you can’t resist) but only a happy few enjoys such an inspiration, I guarantee !!! Just listen to the cohesion between the group and the singer... Furthermore there’s Latrice who sensually explain us how hooked she is on her man. Arggghhhh in what condition will I finish this review? ;o))

Not to make things easier, they go on with the same vibe on " Trembles "!!! It stands right between the up-tempo (scratches, drums) and mid-tempo (keyboards, bass) which is quite appropriate as it describes the young woman’s turmoil during a tête-à-tête. Pay attention to the torrid words and your body temperature will rise up!!!

" Sign your Name " starts on a very sober (acoustic guitar) and cool tempo (bossa-like percussion) and fires up as the rhythmic guitar and the drums (much exposed on the tune) play.

It’s quite the same outline on " Rare " except that alternatively, quiet moments (verses) give way to fast ones (chorus)... For the first time a backup of mixed voices pairs up with Latrice and gives an incredible emotional force (gospel’s style) to the final. When the chorus goes up it shonuf’ makes your liver quiver !!!

" Love Divine ", welcome us with kicking drums, bass and scratches following their foolproof recipe and starts still rather gently... The words (unconcealed invitation for carnal pleasure) and Latrice’s brilliant performance will do the rest This girl sublimates an almost perfect base (the musicians’ performance is much appreciated here). The classy, elegant tune builds up with perfect changes of rhythm, just like the sensuous setting described herewith whispered words. If you don’t think it’s funky, Ladies/Gent !... I can’t do nothing more for you !!! ;o)

And we go back again with the irresistible groove of the bass/drums duet on " Why " which works wonders! A break in the middle of the track & we are it again! It’s for sure one of my fave (so great is my excitement I can’t hardly decide).

There is a change of style in " Real ", with plenty of percussion : it is atmospheric, introspective, cloud-ninish...

We smoothly close the case with " Take Me ", a track that perspires Soul. This is a masterly romantic slow that arouses you and takes a new dimension when Latrice answers Merl Saunders‘s Hammond B3 superb solos.

I’ll end up with further information that will help you to have an idea of their burgeoning popularity from amateurs of good music like us:

* Dave Lebolt (who collaborated with David Bowie, Billy Joel, Power Station, Chaka Khan and Roberta Flack) produced and arranged this album,
* Cd Baby describes them as a group mixing the groove and the Soul of the new millennium
* The Independent British label " Coffee of Soul " selected 2 tracks for their compilation’s third volume.
* They recently toured with Sade and India Arie.

They are currently working on their third album and I can’t wait hearing it!!! Watch out !! GREAT TALENT AT WORK , I warned you!

Funkygirl october 2003
Traduction by Catwoman

Take a look at their rich and complete site www.fivepointplan.com with a few samples to download, lyrics, bios, reviews, pics...
Classy once again !!!

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