Having grown up in Oakland, CA, soul music was a very big part of my early life, so when Alexis Ffrench's new Classical Soul Vol. 1 came to my attention, I was intrigued. I didn't know what to expect, but thought it might be more of a "covers" album with solo piano interpretations of some of my old favorites, but it is so much more than that! I have to admit that I wasn't familiar with Alexis Ffrench, but learned that he is the fastest-growing classical artist worldwide, resonating with a diverse audience that spans generations. Classical Soul Vol. 1 is the British pianist/composer's first new studio album in two years and was inspired by Ffrench's father's cherished record collection. The twenty-one tracks are a combination of original works that include piano solos, vocals and orchestrations along with shortened (under two minutes) arrangements of six soul classics. Quoting Alexis Ffrench:

"This album is a reflection of my musical heritage and the soundtrack of my life. It’s an ode to the music that has shaped me—not just as an artist, but as a person. I wanted to capture the soul of these influences while infusing them with the classical elements that are so intrinsic to my identity.”

This description of Alexis' approach really says it all:

"A pioneering superstar of Classical Soul, Alexis’s sound refuses to be limited by genre, time period, or by expectations of the kind of musician he should be. Rather than leaning into the narrow, traditional understandings of ‘classical’, Alexis instead leans outward, expansive in his perspective, drawing on a mosaic of influences that takes the listener by the hand and leads them on a journey through a world of possibility."

Classical Soul Vol. 1 begins with "The Way It Was," an original piano solo that blends heartfelt nostalgia with a strong feeling of longing - a beautiful and compelling start! "Reverie" lives up to its title with its expression of dreamy warmth. Mostly a piano solo, silky strings appear in several passages. The first soul classic is a Roberta Flack's Grammy-winning Record of the Year (1973), "Killing Me Softly," pared down to just over a minute but absolutely capturing the essence of the song. Lighter yet very poignant, "Chasing Yesterdays" dances lightly on the piano keys, with strings joining in at about the half-way point. The second "interlude" is a short arrangement of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come," again catching the essence of the song. "Soar" was released as a single and is a multi-cultural anthem that features Congolese singer-songwriter Fally Ipupa and Pentatonix's cellist and beatboxer Kevin Olusola along with Ffrench's piano and light strings. "Fate" also features Olusola as well as bits of Beethoven! "So" is played on a felted piano (where felt or another soft fabric is placed between the hammers and strings of the piano, softening the percussive effect and often allowing sounds of the inner workings of the piano to become part of the music) - very soft, gentle and dreamy! The next "interlude" is the Etta James classic, "At Last" - soulful as a bluesy piano solo. "Everything Changes" is a soaring orchestrated piece that would be beautiful in a film soundtrack. "I Say A Little Prayer" was a big hit for Dionne Warwick, and this short piano arrangement is tender and heartfelt. The song also appears near the end of the album as a full orchestration. Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" was a favorite back then, and this short piano solo says it all. The felted piano returns on "Once" - very soft, tender and atmospheric. The album comes to a very satisfying close with "The Time of Your Life," a piano solo that I assume was written for Ffrench's late father - warm, nostalgic and full of love. What an incredible album!

Classical Soul Vol. 1 is definitely one of my favorite albums of 2024 and I will be anxiously awaiting Vol. 2! The album is available on vinyl and CD as well as for streaming and download on Amazon, from Apple Music/iTunes, and many streaming platforms including Pandora and Spotify. I give the album my highest recommendation!