June Rochelle - Changing Places

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

In a gospel scene that sometimes touts all kinds of shrieking exponents of OTT histrionics this album of mellow, soulful class is a near revelation. This is the real deal, a voice of transparent CLASS and its possessor would put many of today's singers to shame. It's one of those unfair vagaries of the pop scene that this Indianapolis native got to sing BVs on stage for Celine Dion and Diana Ross when, as this album demonstrates, she has greater vocal talent than either of those divas. But as any wise old music biz head will tell you, it's not just the singer, it's the songs which are equally vital in bringing stardom. The material here doesn't quite have the X Factor that is needed to achieve the big hits. Most of it was co-penned by June Rochelle Rush (the lady's full name) and lyrically deals with love both divine and romantic. Both "For All The Love" and (appropriately enough) "Radio" sound like playlist material if I can persuade Cross Rhythms to programme some old school soul music. And the funky "Stomp Shaker" is a welcome change of groove complete with (an uncredited) male rapper. Lovers of great soul voices will want to investigate this while they await June's classic album her huge vocal talent will surely one day deliver.