Liz Phair keeps it smooth on ‘Miracle’

Just such an example is “Electric Blue” by Erasure vocalist Andy Bell.

Erasure’s mark is indelible in Bell’s recognizable voice and in the album’s synth pop sounds so much like those Vince Clarke conjures up for Erasure.

And no wonder. Collaborating with Bell on this venture are Philip Larsen and Chris Smith of Manhattan Clique, who have worked with, among others, Moby, the B-52s and — yes, Erasure.

“Electric Blue” offers 13 new songs and a 1-minute intro, all co-written by Bell, Larsen and Smith, with a few other writers pitching in here and there. It also contains three duets — two with Claudia Brucken and one with the appropriately named Jake Shears of the Scissor Sisters.

The first two cuts, “Caught in a Spin” and “Crazy,” are infectious, upbeat dance numbers that, along with “Never Fall in Love Again,” are especially reminiscent of Erasure.

“Fantasy,” a pretty ballad, is a welcome change of pace from the more pulsating sounds typical of the album, as is “Shaking My Soul” with its hint of Motown.

“Delicious” is a duet with Brucken that sounds vaguely like “Opposites Attract” by Paula Abdul and the Wild Things, but its theme is entirely — well, opposite. But lyrics such as “Said you were restless/I didn’t like your dresses” and “You were delicious/Never were malicious” might have the listener shaking his head along with his booty.

Lyrics are not this album’s strength. Listeners should concentrate instead on the inventive melodies and Bell’s appealing voice.

One disappointing cut is “I Thought It Was You”: Bell’s duet with Shears could use a trim as its monotony makes it seem much longer than its 4:40 running time.

By the way, Erasure fans can relax: Sanctuary says the appearance of this solo album by Bell does not toll the end of Erasure.
— Ron Berthel

“Hero,” Kirk Franklin
On Kirk Franklin’s latest album “Hero,” when the gospel superstar sings “To all my people in the struggle, you think God’s forgotten about you, here’s some pain medicine,” he’s describing pain he’s all too familiar with.

On the cathartic track “Letting Go,” Franklin somberly recounts being given up by his mother, struggling with pornography and sex, and getting high in the church’s parking lot to Tears for Fears chorus: “Shout, Shout, let it all out.” Then Franklin’s stellar vocal ensemble delivers the “pain medicine,” singing in unison on the title track: “Jesus, You are my hero/You came and you saved the day.”

The album contains Franklin’s typical but explosive mix of hip-hop and R&B-flavored gospel. He also uses samples from soul classics — from Earth Wind and Fire’s “Keep Your Head to the Sky” to Randy Crawford’s “You Bring the Sun Out” — to create this “comfort-food for the soul.” Patrice Rushen’s “Haven’t You Heard” provides the funky underlay to the standout track “Looking for You.”

Buoyed by a boisterous horn section and percussion work by Sheila E., the well-crafted album has Franklin moving nimbly through gentle a cappella interludes from Fred Hammond and Yolanda Adams to vocal free-for-alls with J. Moss and Tye Tribbett. Add to the mix guest appearances by Stevie Wonder and Marvin L. Winans, plus Franklin’s singing and DJ-ing, and you’ve got a tablespoonful of sugar that makes this medicine go down even easier.
— Aimee Maude Sims

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