Reviewed by John Cheek

St Helens-based jazz guitarist Fuller has been a believer for many years and has already released a number of devotional-style projects. This labour of love is a collection of previously-unissued material which he wrote in his late teens and early 20s. Whilst it may not feature the most profound lyrics you're ever likely to hear, it still displays traces of the warmth and sunshine that were to characterise Fuller's music in later years. Vernon's vocal abilities are not a match for the sweet capabilities of an Al Green, his delivery is still fitting for a collection of 16 largely laid-back grooves. Great for a wine bar or a Soho pizzeria in fact. The rawness of this production keeps the music from travelling down a cocktail-jazz dead end. On a number of tracks there is a lot going on, with Fuller's jazz guitar giving way on occasions to Latin rhythms and, as with "See That Girl", reggae - but always sounding authentic and never 'cod'. A case in point is the title track, a positive, up-beat lyric dramatised by Neil Atherton's trumpet: "If you could live your life over again/What would you do?/Love will come to him who waits/I'll wait for you." Here, the virtues of loyalty and faithfulness are celebrated, an undertone running through the collection. Recorded at the Wirral School of Samba, this album is clearly something that Vernon and friends wanted to see released. The final credit on the sleevenotes indicates where he's at now - thanks to Jesus Christ "my Lord and Saviour."

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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