The Dutch soul singer Alain Clark can do something that competitors with better voices often cannot: write hits. On his second English-language album there are easily a handful. Clark has the gift of making a song sound like it has always been there, by cleverly but not too flashy borrowing from hits from the past. Good songwriters attract good musicians. Clark can tap into a rhythm section made up
… of two top forces from the American session world: drummer Steve Gadd and bassist Pino Palladino, along with contributions from Diane Birch, guitarist Michael 'Maniac' Sembello and harmonica player Kevin Wyatt. Colorblind does not go back to classic soul as clearly as its predecessor Live It Out. This time Clark draws more from sweet Phillysoul and disco funk, and even allows for a trip to P-funk (the silly Prince rip-off Rich). And as befits an arriving star, social involvement is now also coming into play, in songs against discrimination (Corner Of My Street) and for freedom (For Freedom). (MS)more