Music reviews. CD reviews. Critically hip!

Raul Midon’s A World Within a World is a relaxed listen and a virtual showcase of his obvious love of all things George Benson, Stevie Wonder, and Bill Withers.  There isn’t too much wrong with that…

…except for the fact that it makes this album a tad forgettable.  It’s too much of a George Benson album to be distinguished as anything new upon casual listening.  Midon has talent, nonetheless.  He’s got, as Frank Sinatra would say, the “silkiest chops” and a mastery of several noise making devices.  Furthermore, Midon has a natural song writing ability that shines through on every track whether it’s your cup of tea or not.  And it probably won’t be, but that’s no excuse to overlook Raul Midon’s young capabilities.

A World Within a World will certainly satisfy the “Yuppie” faction of society who have no time to discern why they like something, but may come across as hard to swallow on what I’m sure is Midon’s intended target group:  the hip, future leaders of a funktastic and peaceful tomorrow.  Yes, it’s true.  The “Yuppies” will never be the leaders of a funktastic and peaceful tomorrow.

Pick Somebody Up is the most single-worthy song on the album and, generally, the only really polished track on A World Within a World.  It’s also the only song on the album that sounds like Babyface and not a black Paul Simon, as do all the other songs.   And yes, I do believe the black Paul Simon is George Benson.  Hate me if you will for that statement… or, just understand that such a silly statement came from personal apathy for writing a review on such a vanilla piece of work.  My advice to Raul Midon is to freak out next outing and make a scene.  This album was just too restrained.

Oh, and raise more money next time before you go into the studio so eight of your songs don’t stick out like sore thumbs as poster children for emergency cramming sessions!