First let me say this. In listening to this cd I decided I was not gonna disect all the lyrics, but was just going to take the songs as they are on the surface. Listen to them, and just let my first impressions and emotions take over. Having said this I will give you my thoughts on John Oates' first solo endeavor.

Listening to Phunk Shui was like having an old friend over for dinner, and then after eating, he pulls out his guitar and sings for you. You know you have heard this guy sing before, but just maybe never realized how much depth there was to the man. As soon as the cd hits you with Color Of Love, you know you are in for a treat. A Funky, blues orientated John Oates gem to say the least. The nasty rhythm track, the enriched Oates vocals make this a" I have just gotta hear more of this cd now" song. I have been listening to John Oates sing and play for over 25 years, and in just one song I have to say, where have you been Mr.Oates?

It Girl comes bursting on at track 2. First of all, love the title. John makes his guitar talk, along with a toe tapping melody and bass line. And John Oates is also in absolutely wonderful vocal form here. This is a tune I could play to death. How many times have you said..you're it girl! I know I have. It Girl is it, the track of the cd for me, without going any further on the cd. But I did anyway after a few repeated It Girl plays. The first 2 songs are amongst John Oates' finest material ever, and make the cost of the cd well worth it already.

Trying to get It Girl off my mind I allow the cd to finally move to track 3, All Good People. My first impression is early John Oates. Something that would have been comfortable on Abandoned Luncheonette. Pleasant melody and lyrics. A nice little pop tune ala Mr.Oates. To this point it sounds to me like John Oates is having fun with the making of this album. No commercial hit pressures, just doing what he does best. Certainly not a song that anyone will skip over and a fine follow up to the first 2 songs which in my opinion are very hard to follow.

Love In A Dangerous Time is another pleasant pop tune with silky smooth Oates style vocals. You can feel the ease in which John put this project together. I just can't help but be moving around as I type this review. Not that I am going to fall off my chair or anything , just great listening. So far listening to this cd is like putting on an old pair of slippers. Already broken in and comfortable. You know maybe you should buy new ones, but these just feel to good to part with. You had to know that John Oates had an album like this in him.

Unspoken is a crafty little love song about not letting communication breakdown in a relationship. If nothing else Mr. Oates teaches us a valuable lesson about love. Not deep or profound, but a very important lesson. One that I know I have learned the hard way at times. Again another fine vocal performance from John Oates, and another reason to continue listening to this cd. The cd just flows from one song to the next, and I have found no reason to stop listening yet.

Soul Slide has a really cool funky little beat with some nice guitar licks abounding. Again, as I am typing I cannot sit still. This song once again picks up the momentum of the cd where Unspoken made me settle back in my chair and listen for the message. And the little John Oates quip, and laughter at the end make it worth the price of admission.

Go Deep picks up where Soul Slide leaves off. The momentum continues, but just a little deeper. A bluesy guitar oriented Oates gem. The guitar talks to you all the way through this crafty work that again makes me say, where the hell have you been Mr. Oates? Never mind, I know. Well climb out of big brother's shadow and take a bow. Granted, John Oates has had years to write these songs. He has probably taken the best songs out of the ones he has written over the years, but so be it. It was worth the wait! At this point you can not help but go deeper into this cd. Absolutely no reason I have heard to turn back now.

This brings us to the wonderful Little Angel. A beautiful ode to a child, obviously John's son Tanner Oates. Not since Marc Anthony's My Baby You, have I heard such a beautiful song filled with loving fatherly advice. Reluctantly, I must tell you that as I am listening, my eyes have filled with moisture as I think about the child I have never had. Mind you, I am not looking for sympathy. My life has been, and will be fulfilled in other ways, including loving the children of others in this manner. Those of you that have children will undoubtedly fall in love with this song. I can feel the love that John must have for his son with every word. When you listen to this song you will not be able to do anything but think of your own loved ones. And I am sure that most of you will choke back a few tears yourself. This is the first song that I have to say is making me think of not moving forward to the rest of this cd. It has affected me that much, but in a positive way. John could have ended this cd right here and I would have been fine with it. But he didn't so let's compose ourselves and move on, shall we.

This brings me to Beauty. This track is pleasant enough listening ,about having an angel on your shoulder. I have heard that phrase quite a bit the last few days. Some nice dreamy guitar work although this is not one of the stronger tracks on the cd, it is certainly worth listening to. I can't possibly stack it up with some of the other gems on this cd. Maybe it is just a tremendous letdown that has befallen me from Little Angel. I need a pick me up.

The track Phunk Shui certainly provides that. John Oates' ode to some of the great funk artists and music of the past. Melodically not the best track on the cd, but still will make you groove to the beat. Reminds me a bit of an old Sly And The Family Stone track for those of you that remember them. Sort of a modern day I Want To Take You Higher. John's mention of Marvin Gaye leads me to believe, he is also a fan of Marvin, as well as The Temptations.

I cannot believe I am to the last track. I have waited how many years for a John Oates solo cd, and now this is the end of it. Electric Ladyland is a nice way to end the cd. It's a cool down song. Pleasant enough, but not destined to be a favorite of mine, which is alright with me. After the raging rollercoaster of emotions that this cd has had me on, it's a fitting close to it. Not one of the strongest tracks either on this cd. But, in maybe being a little disappointed by the closing song, I am so ready to jump back to Color Of Love without delay. I am not here to put Phunk Shui in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. But, if you are a Hall And Oates fan, a John Oates fan, or just a music fan, Phunk Shui has something for all of you. Good singing, good playing. And in the end it's just like going home again, and meeting up with that old friend for dinner. And after listening to these songs I can only repeat. Where have you been Mr.Oates?