Paul Young

It's been ten years since Paul Young released a solo album and it's been about twice that since he's delivered something approximating the blue-eyed soul that made his reputation back in the '80s. Those hits were steeped in the sound of their time – synthesizers ruled the roost from the sequenced foundations to the accents piled on top – but Good Thing is an attempt to get back to basics, back to the sweet, supple groove of Memphis. Because Good Thing was recorded not at American Sound Studios in 1968 but cut by a distinguished Englishman on a modern digital rig some 50 years later, this album hums with rosy nostalgia and immaculate taste.

Paul Young (1947-2000) was an English singer and percussionist best known for his work with Sad Café and Mike & The Mechanics. 12 freshly produced unheard tracks (plus a bonus live track). This CD is a reminder to us all of what a hugely talented man he was. The album also features renowned musicians such as Graham Gouldman and Eric Stewart of 10cc, Victor Emerson and Ian Wilson of Sad Cafe, and Paul Carrack and Mike Rutherford of Mike & the Mechanics.

In 1984, Paul Young scored a couple of medium-sized U.S. hits with "Come Back and Stay" and "Love of the Common People" from his album No Parlez. In 1985, however, with his stellar album The Secret of Association, the British singer gained his highest level of commercial success with several hit singles, most notably his chart-topping cover of Daryl Hall's "Every Time You Go Away," which was miles better than the original. Featuring lush orchestration and Young's signature, soulful vocals, this album remains the singer's best, and one of the better albums of the 1980s. Other notable tracks include his wicked take on "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down," the gorgeous "Everything Must Change" (which almost sounds like a country song), and the popular album tracks "Soldier's Things" and "Tomb of Memories."

Early in 2019 Edsel will issue The CBS Singles Collection, a new Paul Young box set which includes every UK single issued on the CBS label as a CD single, packed with mixes, B-sides, instrumentals and even the odd unreleased demo.