I Got Soul - War Child Single Review

War Child
War Child

Single Review

If, like Mr Rowland, you've been searching, searching everywhere, for the Young Soul Rebels, but just couldn't find them anywhere, well, the wait is finally over 'cos they're here. The Young Soul Rebels are a collective of some of Britain's best contemporary, young, of the moment, 'urban talent' brought together specifically for the War Child charity. They feature amongst their ranks some of the biggest selling chart acts around, including N-Dubz, Tinchy Stryder, Pixie Lott and V.V. Brown.

I Got Soul is a reworking of the anthemic Killers track 'These Things I've Done', and while purists and die hard Killers fans may not necessarily like the take, I say get over it, you're missing the point. The War Child Charity is specifically set up to help children ravaged by war, and the effects of war, around the World, working in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan. Currently 300,000 children are involved in conflicts around the globe, some as soldiers. 'I Got Soul, but I'm not a soldier' is War Child's single to help raise awareness, and vital funds.

All the artists involved will hopefully lift the profile of the charity and help it shift a shed load of cds and downloads to boot. There is an argument that says they're doing it partly to further their own career. Again, get over it. What's better, add yourself to the line up, raise awareness, reach out to your own audience, get a younger generation involved, or sit back and criticise whilst you dither and do nothing? It's not really a catch 22, or a dilemma in anyway, moral sensibilities should override any misgivings every time. The Young Soul Rebels are following in some very exalted company with the likes of U2, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, to name but a few, all supporting the War Child charity. This release, due in late October, and already previewed as a live performance at the recent MOBO awards, is arguably the charities most overtly commercial, and why not? It's release is timed perfectly, featuring as it does artists who have contributed to 5 number 1's this year alone. Their aim is to raise money and raise awareness, it will do both in abundance.

So does the music matter? Yes, a little, but maybe not as much as it would if it weren't for charity. 'I Got Soul' is a very catchy, sing-a-long, poignant song. Police fans may still wince when they hear Puff Daddy (or P-Diddy, or Diddy..whatever) break into 'Every Breath You Take', but which is the better known song these days, which is the most successful, which is the most relevant and acceptable to a modern listener? The two tracks have similarities, hopefully the one yet to be measured, whether the sales of I Got Soul can surpass Mr Coombes take on The Police, will be a definite yes. Let's hope so.

Andrew Lockwood

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