Review
Aaron Ross Sterling Ensamble Ft. Ursula Rucker: Alive (Restless Soul music)
8
5.7
Rate this Single
UK release date 05.12.2011
Anytime, I mean absolutely anytime, I see a track featuring Sterling Ensemble the hairs on my arms stand up. Sterling Ensemble was responsible for one of the best ever house tracks in my opinion, "The World." West London DJ and producer Aaron Ross (previously of Radio 1Xtra fame) has also more than held his own in the soulful dance arena, so you know when you get sent a track that they’ve paired up on, it’s going to make good listening. Especially when the vocals are supplied by a certain Ursula Rucker!
"Alive" is the result of Aaron and Sterling’s team effort and a beautiful release it is too. We start off with a lovely broken beat backdrop, which I champion as being one of my favourite sounds ever. Ursula’s warm tones enter the affray, along with melodic pads, a simple but grooving bassline and some weird and wonderful stabs and hits all loitering with intent.
As you delve deeper into this track, beautiful piano keys come wafting through the air, just like the smell of freshly baked bread and command your attention. The track builds fantastically, with a bubbling flute appearing from the reserves and then at 4m 59s, a wonderful piano solo that wouldn’t sound out of place at Ronnie Scott’s, comes on as sub and scores the winner!
This track bridges the no-man’s land that lies in between Jazz and House Music and it works really well. It’s more on your mellow side, but I can still see this getting a lot of plays in reputable dance clubs and I for one really like it.
Words GARETH MORGAN
