Inside My World - Robert Owens

The 20: February 2008

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Featured Review #02

Inside My World

Robert Owens [Compost]

#02 in this month's The 20

Section: Music Reviews Topics: The 20
Written by: lizwarner

Robert Owens is the modern definition of soul.

And Compost is just the label to highlight that fact with the latest release from this veteran, ‘Inside My World’.

His crooning vocals are reminiscent of a combination Stevie Wonder ballad with Michael Jackson attitude on the title cut from the single – at times reaching into the loftier echelons of some of our most beloved female story tellers.

But his vocals are merely one element that garner this Londoner worldwide acknowledgement.

There’s something to the subtlety of how he wears his musical influences on his sleeve.

Care for any Chicago house, anyone?

His roots come clean on this release, giving direct evidence to his participation in the legendary Chicago 1980s Fingers Inc. outfit (along with Larry Heard and Ron Wilson).

How about a tip of the hat to Detroit’s Moodymann (AKA Kenny Dixon Jr.), with such heavily laid soul grooves throughout?

No doubt, Moodymann has been influenced by Owens’ early material, but it’s here that the impact comes full circle.

Laid back vibes meet a very personal Owens drive on ‘Press On’, grounded by a steady beat that stays true to the idea of song’s name — it works out to an updated, more refined part II of his earlier hit ‘Movin’ On’.

But he also knows how to settle into those comfy regions with another b-side ‘Now I Know’ — ultimately a song of the acknowledgement of loss, always with a sense of moving on.

It’s not often that electronic-based music has the option of focusing on the vocals, but without such focus in the case of Robert Owens, even he would miss the point.