The Promise
By: Mitch Ryder
Label: Michigan Broadcasting Company
Reviewed: February, 2012
The Promise is the 32nd album featuring R&B legend, Mitch Ryder, in some form or another. And, speaking of form, Ryder is in full form on his latest album. It is a full-featured rhythm and blues treat.
Under the producing genius of the legendary Don Was, Mitch Ryder offers up fresh R&B that will please his loyal fans as well as entice a whole new generation of listeners. Mitch’s voice is as strong and rich as ever and the musicians assembled by Was are top shelf all the way.
The opening cut, Back Then, is produced in such a manner that the listener feels as though their right in a live venue with Mitch. You can almost hear a crowd grooving and dancing to this very fun tune.
The title cut of the album has a Curtis Mayfield type musical vibe to it that is graced with Ryder’s signature vocals. This one provoked multiple slaps on the repeat button. Another Boomerocity favorite is the brooding Everybody Loses. I’m not going to be the least bit surprised this tune wind up on a movie soundtrack on used on a TV show. The moods this song conjures are deep and moving.
Crazy Beautiful is another Boomerocity favorite and, if people will give this song just one listen, they will listen to it a thousand times and still never grow weary of listening to it. Like Everybody Loses, I suspect this tune will be picked up for media use. If it’s not, it should.
The only tune on The Promise not written by Ryder is his live cover of the Jimmy Ruffin classic, What Become of the Broken Hearted. Wow! If there’s ever a version of this song that can be considered as good as the original, Mitch’s is definitely it.
I’ll give you a hint about another song: Get Real is a great example of why the late, great James Brown thought so highly of Mitch Ryder. Just sayin’ . . .
It goes without saying that Mitch Ryder fans will want to buy this album without even having to listen to a sample of it. However, if there’s a new R&B fan in your circle of influence, you’ll want to buy them a copy of this album. They’ll love you for it.
Written by Randy Patterson
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