'In The Company of Others' by Paul Randolph [Review]

The 2017 album from Detroit's own Paul Randolph could very well be his magnum opus...

The immeasurably talented singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist unveils a 28 track project released through Mahogani Music, which is also the shared home to projects by Amp Fiddler and Moodymann.  Randolph's contemporary and "Detroitesque" style - mixing new soul with elements of funk and house - fits in so comfortably amongst the aforementioned names that any other label home just wouldn't be the same.

Randolph sounds as good on 'In The Company of Others' as he did in 2008 when his voice was introduced to many through three tracks on Jazzanova's phenomenal album 'Of All The Things', and later as the main vocalist on their follow-up project, 'Funkhaus Studio Sessions'.  A slew of albums and collaborations have followed since then - including work with Kathy Kosins this year on a song called 'Could You Be Me'(which is definitely worth your time, as is the accompanying remix by Opolopo!).

'Heavy', 'How Does it Feel' and the cover of The Stylistics' 'People Make The World Go Round' are a few of the standouts for the first half of the album and the second half, which serves as the remix suite, boasts appearances from heavy-hitters including DJ Spinna, Opolopo and Dez Andres among several others.

In many ways, 'In The Company of Others' is the culmination of everything that came before it: an incredibly versatile release showcasing Randolph's ability to amalgamate all these different styles into a sound distinctly unique and something his very own.