Singer Robert Palmer, who died on September 26, 2003, never felt bound to a style. This versatility ensured that he managed to survive various musical trends, but also ensured that his profile was unclear. His hits were based on reggae (Best Of Both Worlds), rock and roll (Bad Case Of Lovin 'You, Addicted To Love), electropop (Looking For Clues) and soul (Every Kinda People, Mercy Mercy Me) . In
… the Drive project, which he completed just before his death, he is once again digging into the grab bag of popular music. In the twelve carefully selected songs he comes across as extremely inspired: anything but the work of a man who did not have long to live. Work of old hands like Leiber & Stoller (Hounddog) and Little Willie John (Need Your Love So Bad) stands brotherly next to songs by ZZ Top (TV Dinner) and a newcomer like Nicolaï Dunger (Dr. Zhivago's Train). Again he refuses to deliver a stylish record; Stella is a Caribbean reggae tune, complete with steel drums. It is typical of the musical vision of Robert Palmer, who refused to limit himself to one trick until his death. (MS)more
