Rocktrospectiva: The Groundbreaking "Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade" Turns 35

Released on 21 May 1990 "Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade" was the second album by British musical collective Soul II Soul. It contained three UK hits: "Get a Life", which reached No. 3 in the UK singles chart (No. 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100), "A Dreams a Dream", which made No. 6 (No. 85 on the Hot 100), and "Missing You", which reached No. 22. The album reached No. 1 in the UK Albums Chart in May 1990. Other single taken from the album was "People".

Thea alum was recorded following the departure of Caron Wheeler (the Soul II Soul collective's best known singer) and with a full guest performers on this album include singers Kym Mazelle, Lamya, Marcia Lewis, and Victoria Wilson-James, saxophonist Courtney Pine and New York hip-hop scenester Fab 5 Freddy. Soul II Soul's sophomore album, isn't the least bit disappointing. Although Keep on Movin' (which was titled Club Classics, Vol. 1 in England) 

So far, this remains the British outfit's most essential release, it was an excellent follow-up, even tought Soul II Soul suffered a major loss when singer Karon Wheeler left to pursue a solo career after Keep on Movin'; it was a major blow, but certainly not a fatal one. 

Jazzie B.'s collective fares well without her on sleek urban/dance/neo-soul grooves like "Missing You" which boasts a guest appearance by British dance diva Kym Mazelle, then "People," and the haunting "A Dream's a Dream." Jazzie realized that Wheeler's departure was a big loss for Soul II Soul and when the time came to record a second album, he filled the void by featuring talented, expressive female vocalists such as Victoria Wilson-James, Lamya, and Marcia Lewis. Other interesting tracks were "Courtney Blows" an acid jazz instrumental that features British jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine; the tune isn't hard bop or straight-ahead jazz, but it's a pleasing example of dance music with jazz overtones. 

Critics were positive praising the album as Soul II Soul's music successful at communicating positivity "in a sly, critical way.

 

Vol. II: 1990 - A New Decade Track List: 

 

1. Get A Life

2. Love Come Through

3. People

4. Missing You

5. Courtney Blows

6. 1990 A New Decade

7. A Dreams A Dream 

8. Time (Untitled)

9. In The Heat Of The Night

10. Our Time Has Now Come