Keith Thompson is no newcomer to the dance music scene. Since his first release in 1986, Keith has been turning out sultry, soulful house music. His biggest US hits were with the concept group Raze where he supplied vocals to the songs "Caught You Cheatin" and the number one hit "Break 4 Love". Keith Thompson has not let up since. Keith has been churning out hits that made charts and radio all over the world. After working with a slew of producers from Little Louie Vega to Todd Terry he found time to return to school and graduate with a BA in Communication Arts.
His latest installment is a 14 track album of R&B-flavored house. Keith's vocals are a great complement to house music and there is no lack of that on this disc. Almost all the songs on the album have been produced in some form or fashion by Keith himself. It also features additional production by DJ Romain, the Groove Junkies, UBP, Sure Is Pure, and Erik Kupper. He comes right out of the gate with the funky house tracks "In What" and "The Rhythm of Life." "In What" features some sexy saxophone laid over a chillin house beat. It builds up into a vocal explosion by Keith. This is a real dance song, all the way.
On "The Rhythm of Life," he shows us what the "Rhythm of Life" is. It has some female background vocals over another funky house beat. Keith slows it down a bit of "Africa In Your Veins." This track has some hand percussion and a deep vocal. He is very passionate on this song. Half way through the disc he gets all disco on us. "Without U" is a ballad about relationships and more so the break off of one. He truly tells a story with his songs. The Groove Junkies lend a remix to the track "It's On." This song has some fun sax work with a real bouncy beat and some more killer vocals. Further on, DJ Romain mixes up "Dig My Roots In You" to resemble a heated club house track. His use of harmonica gives it a Cajun sound. and Keith's intoxicating vocals meld nicely with this style.
Rounding out this 70-plus minute disc we can find Keith "On the Beach." He paints a virtual picture of downtempo house music playing at the beach. It is quite beautiful and as smooth as silk. Keith Thompson has blessed us once again with his brilliant sound. He shows that house music doesn't have to conform to any particular style by flex his creative muscles. Look out for Keith, he is here to stay.
