GOLD COMPLEX, “Meant To Dance”
It’s been a while since we heard from Toronto’s Gold Complex, an eight member R&B/jazz/pop collective that released its first EP a few years back. Since that time, I’ve also written about their lead singer Will Bowes and his solo work. Gold Complex’s album New Soul – which includes “Backbone” from their EP – is everything that you could like about a fast-paced, effortless record that straddles many genres. Will can be a powerhouse singer given the song, and we’ve heard his softer but potent solo songs too. And the band is incredibly tight – these musicians have each other’s backs, hard enough to do with eight personnel. But if there’s a song to focus on here, to me it’s the lively, diverse “Meant To Dance”, one of the more pop-oriented songs on the album but it’s incredibly radio friendly. It’s got a delicious pause around the minute mark which can make or break a song, but it shifts wisely into high gear right after, and then unleashes Will’s fierce voice. The rest is a delightful mix that has a lot of 70’s flavour. And a dance remix could open up “Meant To Dance” to clubs too.
I was fortunate to see Gold Complex in concert for one of their sets in Toronto’s Nathan Phillips Square on Saturday, March 9. They are better live than on record, and this is where Will’s wide vocal range has the opportunity to flourish. I hope to see them again, perhaps in a more intimate setting, either indoor or outdoor, for full effect!
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