Chich - I'm Alive

  by Malcolm Carter

published: 1 / 10 / 2014

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Sydney-born singer-songwriter Chich’s debut album under that moniker is far from a solo album. While Chich, who has recorded before as Green Room and Richi, wrote the eleven songs that make up ‘I’m Alive’ (‘Lover’ appears twice, in differing versions) and he handles the lead vocals and acoustic guitar, this album is very much a group effort and a little more… So the name Chich may well be new to you but ‘I’m Alive’ was produced at Love Hz Studios by Michael Carpenter, one of the most underrated producer/musicians of this generation; whenever Carpenter’s name appears in the credits, you can be assured that the music you are about to listen to is going to ooze class and ‘I’m Alive’ doesn’t disappoint in that area. While Carpenter plays his usual array of instruments on this album including Hammond organ, Wurlitzer and guitar, the other name that will be familiar in the credits is that of lead guitarist Simon Morel who has released a couple of impressive albums under his own name as well as lending his skills to others; Amanda Easton’s ‘Chanteuse’ is one that comes readily to mind. Morel, apart from being a competent songwriter is an outstanding guitarist and while ‘I’m Alive’ is, on first sight, maybe being promoted as a showcase for the talents of lead singer/songwriter Chich, Morel’s contribution to the songs on this album, along with Carpenter’s input, really brings the songs to life. Although not featured on ‘I’m Alive’, there are a couple of live covers floating around the internet that show how well Morel and Chich work together. This old soul boy really doesn’t need to hear yet another version of the Banks/Jackson/Hampton classic ‘(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to Be Right’, and who in their right mind would waste precious time listening to a live cut of Bill Wither’s ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ when you probably have the original sitting on the shelf? Chic, however, blows all the pretenders to the blue-eyed soul crown out of the water with his not only soulful but soul-felt vocal. When combined with Morel’s remarkable guitar licks on a small stage they really do, after all these years and all those versions, add a fresh slant to those songs. Many artists who share the same vision as Chich (although not necessarily being on the same level vocally as this remarkable singer) have released lacklustre albums of soul classics; in Chich we have an artist who is capable of adding a new dimension to well-known and loved soul songs by keeping it simple so, as good as ‘I’m Alive’ is, here’s one artist who really should take the covers route at some point. But back to the original songs on ‘I’m Alive’; the album is topped and tailed by ‘Lover’. As soon as the version that opens the album starts the listener falls under Chich’s spell; his powerful, bluesy delivery captures your attention instantly, the song is one of those that you know you’ve never heard before but feels like an old friend anyway and the balance between the funkiness of the band and the strings is, as one would expect from producer Carpenter, perfect. The version of ‘Lover’ that closes ‘I’m Alive’ is tagged ‘strings version’ and is just that; stripped of all embellishments apart from the string section it is actually more affecting than the opening cut and highlights just why Chich should be heralded as one of the best soul singers currently performing. ‘Unrequited’ follows and shows a slightly mellower side to Chich than the opening track. It’s the song that will bring a smile to the face of any 60’s or 70’s soul music lover, it has an unforgettable melody that will make the iciest heart melt, Chich turns out a vocal performance that really has to be heard; words fail to convey just how passionate he sounds, as controlled emotion drips from every word. It’s what music is all about. But Chich is not all about loves won, lost and not reciprocated, as the religious slant given to ‘Coming Home’ shows a depth to his writing that few who are making similar music can equal; when Chich writes about the control women can have over men as in the blistering ‘Mistress’ his lyrics can’t fail to register and if you want just one example of Morel’s exceptional guitar skills look no further than this track. The optimism of the title track is infectious; the warmth that radiates not only from Chich’s vocals but from Carpenter’s keyboard parts help make this gospel infused track a highlight in an album that is full of little gems. But maybe Chich sums up this album perfectly when he sings, “ I feel I’ve got a groove on and nothing can go wrong” in ‘Sorry’. It’s some groove Chich and his band create here and he’s right; they can do no wrong. There are so many so-called soul singers who just can’t cut it, Chich, on this showing and the live clips that are out there, proves that he certainly is the real thing.

Track Listing:-

1 Lover
2 Unrequited
3 Coming Home
4 Mistress
5 I'm Alive
6 Chasing the Moon
7 Sorry
8 Is It Gone?
9 Denim Denim
10 Revolutionaries
11 Joy
12 Lover (Strings Version)

Band Links:-

https://www.facebook.com/chichmusic/timeline?ref=page_internal
http://www.chichmusic.com/

Label Links:-

https://twitter.com/ChichMusic
http://www.chichmusic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/chichmusic

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