Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

Following on from his self-titled release from 2005 and 'Reason Why' in 2007, this is obviously Ljungblahd's third release. It's pronounced Youngblood by the way although he may be launched in the English speaking world as Samuel Young to make it easier for us! What you need to know is that this guy has one of the best voices out there! Full of feeling, he's a real old fashioned soul singer and the settings for his songs draw very strongly from '60s soul and Motown and it really suits him. It's hard not to be captivated by effervescent soul songs like "Walking With Fire" and the Northern Soul sound of "Everything" and "Just Believe". When he takes his foot off the gas pedal, the slower stuff like "Paradise" and "In My Soul" really let him get down to some soul searching ballads and I think of Otis Redding and Sam Cooke. If you like soul music, a gospel message and top rate male singers, this is an absolute essential purchase! Surely it isn't going to be long before Samuel's skills take his music beyond the Swedish borders.

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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