Michael Gray - Optimism

Ivy; Fly Away; You Got To Remember; Season High; Butterfly; Save Me; All I Want Is You; Where Do We Go From Here; Invincible; Good Times; Virtual Cool; Don’t Want Anybody; Never Let You Down

(SULTRA RECORDS) SLE 129

The name Michael Gray might not be so well known outside of dance music circles, though his work as a remixer and producer as part of the Full Intention duo has crossed over to a mainstream audience via songs from well-known artists like Whitney Houston, Maria Carey, Jamiroquai, and George Michael. Gray himself had a worldwide hit with The Weekend.

With a selection of top-quality vocalists, including Tatiana Owens and Kellie Sae, Gray has produced what many other dance acts fail to accomplish: a top-class album that strands up in its own right.

Some of the tracks have already been released and have graced the nation's finer dance floors.

The template for the majority of tracks here is songs that sound just as good on the radio as well, booming out of a bass-heavy sound system at any finer club you care to mention, from Sweden to Spain, namely in one of Ibiza’s more upmarket clubs or bars.

A lot of inspiration comes from the mid-seventies Philadelphia soul acts that layered their tracks with string arrangements, a trick that Gray uses to full effect on Butterfly.

Good Times contrasts well with the typical house music flair on offer throughout the album, instead taking an inspired look back via Parliament and Funkadelic, while Virtual Cool could be a mid-period Prince track.

Anyone who enjoys a good song and has the urge to dance away their worries should listen to and appreciate this appropriately named album.