Tony Momrelle - Keep Pushing (2015)

This September sees the launch of Incognito’s frontman Tony Momrelle's long awaited album Keep Pushing which follows the album’s debut single 'Pick Me Up/Back Together Again’. 'Keep Pushing' has been an organic creation, pieced together over the past two years after the game-changing release of EP Fly which forced many to reassess Momrelle’s artistic profile, it is a broad yet revelatory work. As singer, songwriter and co-producer, Momrelle delivers his own clear vision - one wedded to contemporary soul as much as it is to soulful music, full stop.

The album’s titular opener is a spectacular case in point, Momrelle rising up upon an urgent, rousing combination of piano, horns and punchy strings to deliver a universal message of motivation and self- confidence in the face of oppression. The addition of wiry patter from Brooklyn hip-hop big-shot Talib Kweli only quickens the mood further. Elsewhere 'Lay It All Down' pivots determinedly upon layers of guitar and pensive melody as Momrelle offers similar hope of resolving life’s problems and moving on – this time, in the context of a relationship. It is gripping stuff! The sheer soulfulness of Momrelle’s delivery carrying the open-minded arrangements exactly where they need to go.

There are, of course, classic soul beats. 'Back Together Again', a previous hit with Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway is a loved- up duet with Chantae Cann, where floats fine vocal interplay over a deliciously smooth, Eighties-influenced backing of synths and funky flicks, whilst 'A Million Ways' is a dreamy balladeering blur of jazzy keys and classic piano, and 'All The Things You Are' is lovingly crafted around silken backing harmonies and some irresistibly deep tunefulness.

Momrelle continues to surprise and delight, for there is as much drive and purpose in his album’s quieter moments as those that are fully fuelled and funked. 'Come And Get It' is a soaring demonstration of Momrelle in full flow, the breezy, uplifting arrangement and snappy beats carrying him confidently forward; much as the peppy strut of 'This Could Be Us' also does. But with just a delicate piano and heartfelt lyrics urging faith in vast adversity, 'It’s Real' elevates Momrelle to triumphant new heights. The album’s finale ‘ Remember' takes a similar approach but is no less remarkable, Momrelle swelling with gospel- edged intensity as more elegant piano leads into powerful strings and the kind of tear-jerking finale that artist albums can only dream of.

TRACKLIST

1. Talib Kweli & Tony Momrelle – Keep Pushing (4:25)
2. Tony Momrelle – Pick Me Up (3:52)
3. Tony Momrelle & Chantae Cann – Back Together Again (5:13)
4. Tony Momrelle – A Million Ways (4:34)
5. Tony Momrelle – Its Real (3:28)
6. Tony Momrelle – Come And Get It (3:58)
7. Tony Momrelle – Lay It All Down (4:24)
8. Tony Momrelle & Tony Remy – Different Street (4:59)
9. Tony Momrelle – This Could Be Us (4:44)
10. Tony Momrelle – All The Things You Are (4:02)
11. Tony Momrelle – Remember (3:05)