The concept behind
Larry Gold Presents Don Cello and Friends isn't all that different from
The Philadelphia Experiment or
Quincy Jones albums like
Back on the Block and
Q's Jook Joint. Bringing together an impressive cast of soul legends and newer figures,
Larry Gold -- the string arranger and cellist behind several Philly soul classics -- steps out from the background to produce this album with the help of several others. It's heavy on new versions of old songs, including a look at "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" (titled "No Stoppin'") that includes McFadden & Whitehead and a turn from
the Roots'
Black Thought. Though the younger contributors give the album a good supply of powerful energy, it's
Bunny Sigler's turn on the modern-day quiet storm "Can I" that truly wows. It's a fine tribute to the still-active
Gold, one of the many behind-the-scenes figures of '70s soul and disco that was as crucial to the songs -- if not more so -- than the vocalists in front of them. ~ Andy Kellman