Cherry Red Records (label)
09 March 2015 (released)
02 March 2015
After storming the charts in the early 1980s with the classic Smalltown Boy, Jimmy Somerville called it a day with Bronski Beat after just one wonderful album. Although hits would follow with The Communards, the sound was less innovative and leant more heavily on disco and soul influences. After 1990 Somerville's solo career has never really taken off, and given that, it is surprising that Homage has taken so long to appear.
This is the record that Somerville should have made two decades ago. Wearing its disco influences proudly on its sleeve, Somerville hasn't sounded this happy for years. The singer says the album takes him back to being 15 -- and many listeners will feel the same.
Opening with the Stylistics' style strings of Some Wonder (a radio hit in the waiting) the album does exactly what it says on the tin, and pay homage to the likes of Donna Summer. Somerville's voice has always been a delight, but on the likes of Learned To Talk and Strong Enough he is sounding as good as ever. It also helps that producer John Winfield has kept the sound simple, with plenty of brass and string, giving Homage a feel of a bright sunny day.
