photo by Matt Casella
Cortés Alexander

The 16 eclectic tracks of "Swell" contain seductive romantic tunes, including some that Alexander himself wrote. He starts off using a wispy and sensuous voice in his and Lindy Robbins' "Every Other Thought," whetting the appetite for more of his talent. "Marguerite," a song for which he wrote both lyrics and music, makes for a catchy tune with a great beat. The lyrics are inspiring for "comin' round" to new adventures in life. We next step into an easy listening, sweet ballad from the heart, almost akin to something by Harry Connick, Jr., in Helen Slater's "Any Day Now." "It's All Right" shows Alexander singing to motivate us with his own terrific love song, sung with such elation that it makes you want to be in love, even if you are not. You feel that he has finally found the key to love in this soon-to-be-classic cabaret selection.

Alexander's "The Parade" is a soft bluesy ballad, set during a rainstorm drenching a parade, and making us feel as if we are caught in that same rain, as if it were on Pride Day 2008 in New York City. "Empty Walls" contains a great dance mix and boasts the vocal styling of a Prince tune. To another catchy beat, its deeply meaningful lyrics convey that life may be wonderful on the surface, while inside lurks nothing but the feeling of emptiness. The song is by Alexander and McKay Garner, the producer of this CD, known for his work with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Alexander gives us a new take on "Last Train To Clarksville," sung first by the Monkees, with music and lyrics by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. After a take off that's a little rough, this remake then comes in on just the right track, sounding inspirational, and taking us back to a simpler time in life, where everything feels happy. Next, Alexander revisits a short Harold Arlen/E.Y. Harburg "Wizard of Oz" selection, "If I Only Had A Brain," taking us on such a touching sentimental journey that he makes us believe the Scarecrow is, once again, actually present. "Roam" was previously recorded by the B-52s and Alexander creates a totally different rendition of this classic song. It makes your mind "roam," if you will, to a totally different place, as if you were in Roma, Italia, say, sitting in a wonderful café with exotic ambience. In another song he wrote with Garner, Alexander does "Rise" to the occasion with a number that will make you not only want to close your eyes and daydream, but will also motivate you to try to improve your life, "rise" above it all and set a higher standard for yourself.

"Never My Love," written in 1967 by Don and Dick Addrisi and originally sung by the Association, is a love song you will never tire of and Alexander sings it with such classy jazz style that it makes you yearn for love. Just when I thought "I Couldn't Ask For More," our hero croons this sad love song from his heart. He makes us feel his need for one just more day to conquer both "love and death" in this song, which he wrote and which is filled with awe. In Alexander's song "Pilot Bird," where soft rock and country meet, he evokes a cross between the voices of Luther Vandross and Willie Nelson, hitting many high notes and crossing over between these two genres.

Slater's music and lyrics are heard again in "Love'll Come & Do Just That," where Alexander croons with such soft and gentle spirit that he will have you swooning, wanting to hear more of his melodic voice. The singer's own "Was It You?" has us wondering whose fault a relationship's failure really was, as he displays an array of superb smooth notes, all sung with consummate expertise. Title song "Swell," the last on the album, is yet another magnificent Alexander tune, with an arrangement filled with lush harmonies.

This endeavor, far better than "Swell," constitutes a major artistic achievement and, standing as a first solo outing, is that much more impressive. Cortés Alexander's "Swell" is available by visiting www.cortesalexander.com, www.cdbaby.com, www.itunes.com, or www.digstation.com.