Jennifer Hudson [2021] - Ain’t No Mountain High Enough [Epic]

A new release on 5 Mar 2021 from Jenifer Hudson. On the face of it this 'should' be 'sensational', but I'm left feeling a bit underwhelmed. 

Undoubtedly JHud has a powerhouse set of pipes but will.i.am was involved in the production and I guess he has attempted to 'modernise' it and, to these ears at least, it sounds synthesised, flat and empty compared to Marvin & Tammi's 1967 original (compare for yourself below). I doubt any real musicians came anywhere near this recording. It's also been slowed down from 130BPM to the 'obligatory' 124BPM, I guess, so that it can be programmed by house DJ's!

Don't get me wrong, her vocal performance is good, although a bit subdued, I thought she could have 'let rip' a bit more, it's the 'contrived', synthesised backing track that spoils it for me.

Details

Format:	Single
Media:	Digital
Label:	Epic
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Key:	10A
BPM:	124
Value:	£1