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Jeremy Williams-Chalmers
Arts Correspondent
@jeremydwilliams
6:00 AM 7th July 2020
arts

Shaun Escoffery - Strong Enough

 
Shaun Escoffery should be one of the biggest soul vocalists in the world. His rich voice is currently best associated with the West End production of The Lion King, where he has paid Mustafa for an impressive 12 years, but for even longer than that he has been releasing impressive solo material that has been rooted in Soul, but showcased his passion for Blues, Rock and R'n'B.



His latest collection, Strong Enough, follows the striking 2016 release Evergreen, and proves his strongest to date. His rich voice seems stronger than ever before, with a steely determination married to the deep emotion, this is a classic collection which will effortlessly endure the ages.

Opening with the album's most powerful moment, River, Shaun delivers his most epic single forever. It is impossible not to be completely blown away by the sheer uplifting force of the faultless delivery. Had been able to perform this at the Brits earlier this year, then Adele's 2012 performance of Someone Like You might have had stiff competition for the finest vocal delivery at the show. If this doesn't go down as one of the best vocal performances of 2020, then Shaun Escoffery has been robbed.

Although the collection opens with it's finest moment, Strong Enough is an album that stands its ground as a body whole. The driven Forgotten Man, moving Soldier and radio-perfect Need To Believe are among the other highlights.

Musical theatre may have provided Shaun Escoffery his biggest exposure as a vocalist, but once again he proves that he is a striking recording artist.