Posted on Group:

Billy Valentine and the Universal Truth (Flying Dutchman) | Album Of The Day

Bob Thiele Jr resurrects his father’s Flying Dutchman label with this beautiful album from Billy Valentine & The Universal Truth. It contains versions of classic message songs mainly from the early 70’s. The message of these timeless songs is still as revelant today as it was in those ground breaking times 50 years ago. Billy is accompanied by many great musicians including James Gadson, Jeff Parker, Larry Gouldings, The Croker and more. The album is superbly produced by Bob Thiele Jr.

Tracks include Curtis Mayfield ‘We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue’, Gil Scott Heron ‘Home Is Where The Hatred Is’, Leonard Caston ‘ My People Hold On’ , Stevie Wonder ‘You Haven’t Done Nothin’, Leon Thomas & Pharoah Sanders ‘ The Creator Has A Masterplan’ , Prince ‘Sign Of The Times’, ‘Wade In The Water’ and War ‘The World Is A Ghetto’ . Billy sings with deep emotion throughout, and with the sympathetic musical accompanment and production does the songs justice, to provide a very listenable and enjoyable quality contemporary vocal Jazz album, which in time may well be regarded as a classic in its own right. Congratulations to Acid Jazz for releasing the album, which is quite a departure from the sound that you would normally associate with them.

Buy the CD HERE

Buy the LP HERE

Listen to the clips below:

Billy Valentine – We The People Who Are Darker Than Blue
Billy Valentine – Home Is Where The Hatred Is
Billy Valentine – My People… Hold On
Billy Valentine – You Haven’t Done Nothin’
Billy Valentine – The Creator Has A Master Plan
Billy Valentine – Sign Of The Times
Billy Valentine – Wade In The Water
Billy Valentine – The World Is A Ghetto