Steve Elliott – True Image - Vinyl LP

Not-for-profit label Rain & Shine continues to offer up fine reissues of long overlooked, forgotten and hard-to-find LPs. Their latest comes from gospel musician Steve Elliott, whose self-released 1981 debut "True Image" is considered by collectors to be something of a Holy Grail of boogie-era gospel soul. As this new edition proves, it remains a hugely potent and entertaining set. Highlights come thick and fast throughout, from the suitably lo-fi synth-soul business of "Skitz-O-Love" and laidback boogie-pop of "One More Time", to the smooth grooves (and even smoother vocals) of "We Were Meant To Be" and sugary "Believe In Me", where female harmony vocals only emphasize the loved-up mood.