James “D-Train” Williams – Miracles Of The Heart – Expanded Edition

£9.98

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SKU: FTG-257 Category:
Artist James "D-Train" Williams
Nº of Discs 1
Release Date 01-8-2011
Label Funkytowngrooves USA
Format CD

Description

Only small amount available

The First Properly Expanded CD Reissue of James “D Train” Williams Debut 1986 Album – Miracles Of The Heart.

The Release will be remastered From THE ORIGINAL TAPES and will include 6 bonus tracks

James ‘D-Train’ Williams – Miracles of The Heart

”My music is a combination of dynamics, honesty,

and a down-to-earth creative approach,” notes

James “D-Train” Williams, who made an impressive

debut on Columbia Records with MIRACLES OF THE

HEART, a multi-faceted album laced with sensitive

soul and powerhouse grooves, his trademark.

MIRACLES OF THE HEART, co-produced by D-Train and

his long-time friend and co-writer Hubert Eaves

III, is a ubiquitous blend of funk, street rock

and rhythm and blues. “We took our time selecting

each song,” says the Brooklyn-born and bred

performer. “At the time we wanted to give the

album a cohesive texture and I think we

succeeded.”

D-Train’s track record speaks for itself, both

here and abroad. His long string of

R&B/Dance-Disco crossover hits, spanning

1981-1984, established him as a definitive force

on the urban contemporary front: “You’re The One

for Me,” “Keep On,” “Walk on By,” “Music,” “Keep

Giving Me Love,” and “Something on Your Mind.” In

fact, in the early ‘80s when dance music got

sidetracked by over-produced disco fluff,

D-Train’s meaty hooks and diverse changes,

augmented by his vibrant baritone, broke new

ground in black sound. Since then he’s been

constantly imitated, but none comes close to the

original.

”You Are Everything,” the opening track and first

single from MIRACLES OF THE HEART, starts out in a

pop/funk overdrive, never losing momentum.

D-Train’s strong vocal soars as the song’s

dance-oriented arrangement reaches peak after

peak. “It’s one of my favourite cuts from that

project,” he insists. “I like its flat-out pace

and the singing/rap style. Of all the songs, it’s

the closest to what people recognize as the

D-Train sound.”

“Misunderstanding” is an intense, up-tempo,

full-blown production. Here again, D-Train’s

distinctive vocal technique elevates the material

to A+ status. Then the D-Train musical express

goes from the beat to the ballad with seamless

ease. “Miracle of the Heart,” an exceptionally

beautiful love track, highlights the

singer/producer/musician’s sensitive side. “Oh How

I Love You (Girl),” which is delivered with a raw,

romantic flavour, reinforces his unique ability to

tug lyrically at the listener’s heartstrings. Both

ballads have become classics.

The continuing success story of James “D-Train”

Williams began at age three when, like so many

other black artists, he started singing in the

church choir. At age ten the guitar was introduced

to him, an instrument at which he’s become expert.

Until he reached high school music was an

obsession; but sports, especially football, also

attracted him.

Playing varsity at Erasmus Hall, the Brooklyn high

school that boasts such celebrated alumni as

Barbra Streisand and Will Downing, James Williams

nicknamed himself after the New York subway

system’s “D-Train” because of his locomotive style

of moving down opposing players, and subsequently

broke many school records on the gridiron. He

dreamed of playing college ball and eventually

turning pro, but music remained a love he couldn’t

get over.

D-Train met Hubert Eaves in 1981, at a Manhattan

recording studio, and found they had mutual

creative interests. They teamed up, pooling ideas,

making demo tapes and frequently performing

together. “Hubert had written a little of ‘You’re

The One For Me’ ,” recalls D-Train. Once we sat

down and worked out the lyrics and the

arrangement, we knew we had something special.”

The independent Prelude Records agreed and signed

D-Train, releasing his first big hit in late-1981,

“You’re The One For Me.” The D-Train phenomenon

had officially begun. A long list of hits

followed, paving the way for numerous D-Train

tours throughout the U.S. and Europe, where he is

considered a legend!

The D-Train hit machine wound down for a year or

so starting in 1985. D-Train and Hubert Eaves kept

writing new materials together, however, and then

Columbia Records entered the picture. “When I

signed with Columbia in March ’86,” says D-Train,

“I felt secure knowing that finally I was with a

major company that was behind me all the way.”

MIRACLES OF THE HEART was followed by IN YOUR EYES

in 1988, both albums becoming classics over time,

while James and Hubert have continued an

association which lasts through to this day.

© Andreas Hellingh – 2006

for The Soul of Amsterdam

Another Funkytowngrooves Release Authorized By Sony/BMG Reissue.

Tracklist

1. You Are Everything
2. Oh How I Love You (girl)
3. Miracle Of The Heart
4. Misunderstanding
5. Let Me Love You
6. Ice Melts Into Rain
7. I Got Your Number
8. Stand Up And Fight

Bonus Tracks

9. Oh How I Love You (Girl) – 12″ Extended
10. You Are Everything – Acapella
11. Misuderstanding – 12″ Extended
12. Let Me Love You – 12″ Extended
13. Misuderstanding – Acapella & House dub
14. Let Me Love You – Dub Mix

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