33 years after Turn On Your Radio, the legendary post-disco Dance/R&B group Change returns with the uplifting album Love 4 Love. In 2016 Davide Romani, Stefano Colombo and Mauro Malavasi started the preparations for a new Change studio album. During 2016 and 2017 recordings have been made at several studios in Parma, Ferrara and Milan. The album was expected to be released end of 2017 through Original Disco Culture Records, however, it was delayed until the Summer of 2018.The mid-tempo paced lead single "Hit Or Miss" became available online on June 15th. The song arrangements are reminiscent of Incognito, whose high standard contemporary black music takes soul back to the future. Artist Leroy Burgess is full of praise for the single: "Change's "Hit Or Miss" is a reflection of one of the most refreshing trends in popular music: the return to proper musical values in composition, production, arrangement and performance. The world is demanding their musical integrity back, demanding the return of soul to Soul music. A most encouraging development, to say the least." On July 27th the fine Soulpersona Raregroove Remix of "Hit Or Miss" became available for download on all digital stores. Finally the comeback album Love 4 Love was released on August 31st and includes 9 brandnew songs composed by Davide Romani, Mauro Malavasi and Stefano Colombo. Since most tracks are rather short, it's very probable that the (commissioned) extended remixes will swiftly follow. [Check out Joey Negro's lush disco remix of "Love 4 Love" which offers superior Change magic and a flashback journey to the 80s!] In addition a bunch of Change classics have been revamped or even completely re-recorded. Any reluctance towards the revisited part is groundless. The Change hits "Oh What A Feeling", "Searching" or "Let's Go Together" sound as vigorous as ever and are worthy of inclusion if only to give new listeners a more modern twist on old favourites.The cover artwork reminds of Change's first album The Glow Of Love. It's a tribute to the iconic graphic style of designer Greg Porto who died of AIDS in New York City in 1992. Black singer Tanya Michelle Smith was hired to handle the strong lead vocals. She has established a music career in France and in Italy as a session and live singer and even sang at the wedding of George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in Venice in 2014. Smith originates from Toronto in Canada and has Jamaican roots. Currently the talented singer and songwriter lives in Paris after a stint in the Carribean. Her energetic presence and power voice add tons of Soul to the project. She is also credited for co-writing two songs on the album. Yet, there's no black male lead singer involved, which is rather unusual for a Change project. Backing singers are Marco Evans, Massimo "Maci" Cavallari, Melody Castellari and Annalisa Vassalli. Contributing musicians are Stefano Colombo, Davide Romani, Mauro Malavasi, Elio Baldi Cantù, Tommaso Baldi Cantù, Claudio Salvatore, Ruggero Marchesi, Monia Ziliani, Roberto Ilacqua and Paolo Manfrin. Also Maurizio "Sangy" Sangineto of Firefly joined the project as a guest guitarist. Love 4 Love is Change 4.0 and offers genuine pop/soul/funk music with only minor influences of the present US R&B music format. But don’t expect a blueprint of Miracles or an update in the vein of Cool Million or Tuxedo. This would mean that gear from the 80s like keyboards, synths and drum machines have been dusted off or that similar arranging techniques have been applied in order to reproduce a smooth disco/funk sound. It’s not the case. The current Change isn’t aiming for a copy/paste of “Paradise” or "Change Of Heart". Also, there are no American musicians involved, which immediately affects the original R&B texture of the project. Furthermore - presumably due to economic motives as well - the backing vocals lack the punch and soul exuberance of previous realizations. The harder edged (European) sonority of the production could make it tougher to reach the black American public. But a proper R&B remix of some of the key tracks could be a door opener. Obviously there are echoes from the past and Romani’s and Malavasi's songwriting are still the spine. And let's not forget to mention Romani's slappy bass licks that sparkle all over the place. The old school formula hasn't been abandoned completely...The contemporary and homogenous production sound is spot on and the well-crafted songs and arrangements really stick in your mind after a few spins. It's clear that Romani and Colombo have succeeded in reviving the Change project. Especially the percussive and CHIC-ish "Make Me (Go Crazy)", the Jamiroquai inspired "Love 4 Love" and the radio friendly tunes "Living In Your Love" - with its sophisticated Trevor Horn-like acoustics and trumpet sparkles - and "Living Monday" are pretty instantaneous and have hit potential. The classy opener "Hit Or Miss" and the first single off the album definitely leans toward Brit Soul and Acid Jazz. "How Will We" that awakens the devastating impact of hurricane Irma in the Carribean in 2017 and the moralizing "Too Late" are equally standouts with more of an experimental pop feel. The catchy synth track "Make Me (Go Crazy)", the title track "Love 4 Love" and the smooth yet funky "All My Life" are perhaps the few tunes that reflect some of the classic Change brand. There are hardly songs that are prominently propelled by one of Romani's intoxicating bass lines, but these are! You will even detect a Roland TR-808 sample taken from "You Are My Melody" when listening to "Make Me (Go Crazy)". This authentic collection of soulful tracks rather relies on present-day song structures and keenly engineered beats and sounds than on dominant bass grooves and sweet disco melodies/arrangements. The Italian crew cooked a balanced set including pop elements, jazzy touches, lounge vibes, soul heat, funky fire and dance beats that will appeal to both pop audiences and party crowds. Quite a weapon in the music industry today. Conditioned minds will scantly discern the Change trademark sound. The open minds and those who haven’t been raised with Change's vintage signature, will experience an exciting set of fresh and contemporary black gems, arranged and produced with love by Davide Romani and Stefano Colombo, the veteran and the new kid. Overall a clever concept introducing the group's reincarnation. Change is dead, long live Change... "Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future." - John F. Kennedy -

Amazing write up. This made me want to buy the album now.

much thx for this massive review, i'm unconditionaly happy about this release :-)

I've heard two songs from the album so far, but neither sound much like CHANGE. Hopefully the rest of the album will bring back some of the Change magic.

My apologies David. I am a huge fan of your work. I own ALL the Petrus productions and still play those records quite a bit. This is why I was disappointed with the new LP. Sounds too 2018 to my ears.

Sounds NOTHING like the "Sharing your Love" album...at all. Not sure what you are hearing.

Dear reeno continue to send the mud to our production sites in all in all your comment all of our tracks also on you tube. luckily you are only you to do this,but I ask myself c and someone who pays you to continue to do this? Don't you realize that you are ridiculous when 99 percent appreciate our work and you ......

Bought it instantly from a on line store. Love the sound of the new project and it reminded me of the Sharing Your Love project from 1982 with a soulful R&B vibe.

I agree, killskillz2k but I sympathise with REENO because I think we ALL LOVED the old Change sound! My heart skipped a beat with excitement when I saw this new release and especially when I saw that Malavasi and Romani were going to be involved with it. I do think there are distinct hints of the old Change sound in there and both the Youtube tracks here are classy but that's the trouble with 'retro' acts - you can update the sound but you can't retain the sense of time and place. Still, GREAT to have them back - I still want this record!

it very much sounds like Change in a new era...updated.