Ray Edge: Press

Ray Edge is a new voice for me but his press kit shows him in R&B bands Dollars and Dealers Choice in the '70's and leading The Sensations in the '80's. He then began a second career in homeopathic medicine at which he seems to have become quite successful, allowing him to return to singing. It seems he had some songs written and he approached Gary Kendall to produce his album. He went to the right person. The songs are classic R&B and soul and are very good indeed. You'll see some familiar names coming up but they all contribute to a mighty fine package. The basic band has Kendall on bass, Jim Casson on drums, Teddy Leonard on guitars, Michael Fonfara on keys with Pat Carey on saxes, Howie Moore on trumpet, William Carn on trombone. The vital ingedient for this kind of music is often the background vocals and six of the songs feature and I do mean feature Amoy Levy and Ciceal Levy. The title song, "Heaven In Your Eyes" and "Look For The Love Inside" finds them in full flight behind Edge's vocal. The opener, "Time Enough For Love", is classic R&B. The second track, "Real Good Thing" has John Dickie, John Mays and Johnny Wright on backing vocals.

Edge is a fine, polished singer, reminding me of a lighter David Clayton-Thomas. "Internet Date" is the closest to bar blues here with a pretty fine band, but his voice lacks a little grit. Its followed by "Mess Around On You", a rather nice jump blues. Edge does best though on the four soul songs that conclude the album. "Save Our Soul", "Heaven In Your Eyes", "Look For The Love Inside" and "Thank You Girl".

Ray Edge's newest CD "Soul Connection" fuses together Soul, Jazz, R&B, and Blues with the same expertise as Suser Lee does with his famous Fusion Cooking and in doing so he makes it not only a personal masterpiece, but he also makes it a instant hit with his fans. With a voice that some say reminds them of David Clayton-Thomas, Ray has no problem delivering the full package. From the short drum beat intro, Ray Edge forms a connection with his listeners and takes them back to a time when music was truly enjoyable and a pleasure to sit down and listen to.

Supported by members of Downchild Blues Band and other fine musicians, Ray Edge delivers a set of well-sung blue-eyed R&B on Soul Connection (Solar 1111). "It Started With the Blues" is a gently swinging ballad with nice brushwork from drummer Jim Casson and Michael Fonfara's piano and organ; "Time Enough for Love" draws its inspiration from vintage Solomon Burke; "Real Good Thing" successfully mines a contemporary soul-blues vein. "Rock & Roll Real Estate" tips its hat to New Orleans, but the song that best characterizes Edge's low-key approach is the lovely midtempo piece "Look for the Love Inside", with lush backing vocals and an arrangement that shows off his own Tom Jones-tinged voice.

Ray Edge is a Canadian singer gifted with wide vocal qualities and very good taste in selecting songs he has decided to include on this cd. Twelve amazing, original soul-pop songs with some r&b, jazz, blues and latin music influences. There is a variety of tempos from soulful ballads to driving R&B
and the vocal and horn arrangements are bright and colorful too. Ray has been honoured with '2005 Best Male Artist Award' by The Toronto Independent Music Awards. This is a high quality excellent album. GREAT !

The best male performer for 2005 in Toronto and musician that won Toronto Independent Music Awards this year is Ray Edge. Solar Records published his album "Soul Connection", which just confirms the quality of this great singer. I started listening to this album without great expectations, but just after first song, Ray Edge completely won my heart. As a matter of fact, his voice reminds me of David Clayton-Thomas, legendary singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears. No, we have to say that it is not about copying Clayton-Thomas but about the colour and sensibility of Ray's voice, Ray is a musician - singer, with his own style and it is difficult not to notice it. Therefore, the fact that he won this award is not a surprise. It is not about receiving a recognition, more importantly, the quality has been recognized and based on that, we expect from Ray to continue recording albums like "Soul Connection". Why? First of all, Ray himself is aware of what suits him the best: soul, r&b, blues and jazz music - that is certainly the field where Ray could indeed contribute a lot. On the other hand, if you look at who stands behind this album, there is no wonder that this album is a real hit. Almost all prominent Canadian blues musicians joined Ray and contributed in recording and creating of this album, success.... simply had to come.

Here are my favorites: (TIME ENOUGH FOR LOVE, IT STARTED WITH THE BLUES, INTERNET DATE, MESS AROUND ON YOU, SOUL CONNECTION, SAVE OUR SOUL, HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES I LOOK FOR THE LOVE INSIDE ), it is clear that such a great selection of songs guarantees the highest quality of the album.

"Soul Connection" indeed I could listen at any time, it has absolutely everything, R&B, blues, soul and jazz; different music styles just show a wide area of interest, which Ray Edge not only performs at perfection, but he does it at each music style in a different way. Ray Edge is a singer that will achieve success, because this kind of music can not be left without being noticed and without support.

RECOMMENDATION: Ray Edge is a singer, guitar player and composer, he is a complete musician. You should listen to album "Soul Connection" and then, most likely you will want to own your own copy. I know, this will present it's challenges here in Croatia, but with a little bit of an effort, you could purchase album "Soul Connection".

One thing is for certain, Ray Edge will not disappoint you.

Hi there, Thanks for sending me Ray Edge's Soul Connection. Already played it on air on my drive time program. I played Time Enough for Love, Mess around on you, Soul Connection, Save our Soul & finished the show with Thank You Girl. I'll introduce it to my listeners on my Blues show 'Sugar City Blues'on Saturday. Thanks again. Very good CD - almost polished, it shines. Well done Ray & Co. Cheers Cath "Keepin' the Blues Alive in Mackay"

It's got everything - smooth & mellow to hot & funky. Can't get the songs out of my cd player...or my head. As well rounded and complete blues cd as I've heard in a long time. Do not leave this album out of your collection.