Album Review by EDF
Jools Holland is a bit of a celebrity in the UK. As well as being a one time member of the group Squeeze and the host of the legendary Channel 4 music programme The Tube, he presently hosts the musical jam-feast on BBC, Later as well as recording solo albums and tours on a regular basis. What we have here though are a couple of hard to find albums that were originally released in 1990 and 1991 that EMI have at last reissued on CD.
The first album, A WORLD OF HIS OWN, follows in the style that people who have come across Holland are familiar with. From the almost waiting to burst into gospel ARCHITECTURAL NUMBER to the jazzy DANGER ZONE, you inadvertently realise that you are on a trip featuring such a wide range of styles, you have nothing but respect for the guy. From the Big Band Swinging instrumental HONEY DRIPPER to the late night lounge feel of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, you would think that you were on to a winner.
Unfortunately, there are tracks that do not stir the soul with THURSDAY (IN THREE MOVEMENTS) being 3 movements too long. BIGGY WIGGY also suffers from the lack of power in Holland’s voice, who just struggles from start to finish. Of course you cannot go wrong with Jools’ piano licks as when he gets going he can nearly make every track sound like a party. Which brings us to his 1991 album and from the start there is a different feel to this.
THE FULL COMPLEMENT begins with the mournful instrumental, LOST CHORD, which is followed by ONE MORE TIME, a track about feeling lonely. In fact most of the tracks here are downbeat, a little bit like the morning after the previous night’s party. Luckily there is a light at the end of the dark tunnel in the shape of BABY LET ME HOLD YOUR HAND and MOVIN’ ON.
The highlight here has got to be ME – U = LONELINESS which does not need an explanation to what the subject matter is but features the reliable Sam Brown as guest vocalist. Even when Jools lets it rip with SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL, it sounds strangely out of place to the general mood of the album.
If you are looking for a great party album, then go for A WORLD OF HIS OWN but if you are looking for a more soulful record then you should opt for THE FULL COMPLEMENT.
A WORLD OF HIS OWN 
THE FULL COMPLEMENT 
