Review by Marc Israel
After years of anticipation, “Quid Pro Quo”, rock journeyman Kasim Sulton's new CD, has been released in an eerie manner of great timing. This spiritual offering seems relevant and is very easy to personalize. Be sure to check out the liner notes and picture biography to get a complete sense of the CD title. When considering the variety of music that Kasim has recorded over the years with others, my curiosity as to the content and style was more than heightened. The blow-by-blow:

“Sacrifice” is an upbeat perspective on acceptance of the past that uses bouncy pocket verses that eventually flow into a message filled-chorus which opened up my ears to the Kasims’ fine production skills acquired over the years. This would be a common thread throughout the CD.

“Before She Was Gone” deserves airplay as an instant radio classic despite the 5:18 track time. It’s simply one of the most deeply inspiring torch songs you'll hear AND fully "get" (understand) on a first listen. From the mysterious, seemingly unresolved, sounding guitar texturing, that seems to dig deeper in emotion as each verse comes and goes, to the backing vocals that build and build in the end help wrap this song up in all the best things!

“The One Sure Thing” seems to be a re-affirmation personal vows, presented as a powerful rock ballad. The arrangement is as smart as the lyrics are sweet. The subliminal bass evoked memories of legendary Bassist Leland Skylar (backed up James Taylor, Phil Collins) and really drives this sing along. Don’t we all want someone special to lean on?

“We The People” is obviously a patriotic tune (see title) about the great experiment that is America. The tumultuos musical change is reminecent of Peter Gabriels’ “Family Snapshot” and is a remarkably powerful and explosive representation of how most of us reacted on 9/11 and of how violated we all sadly felt.

The spooky echoing of “Where Is My Soul” draped with the plush piano stylings and shadows of orchestra accompaniment set this dangerous mood that pulls you in just as, I beileve, the character has passed the crossroads that has him realizing he is now lost in some dark abyss.

“Heaven Help The Child” is the bed-time song you’ll think of as you tuck your little ones to sleep each night. Right out of a family friendly Steven Speilberg movie soundtrack!

When I first heard “Over For Now” I thought of the smart and stylish Sade in “Please Send me Someone To Love” at best and Huey Lewis & The News at worst, but Kasims’ strong voice sells this ballad quite well past schmaltz and anything simply sultry and breathy.

“Don’t Hold Me Back” is right out of any show you may have saw on tour this past year, if you were lucky, but I was wondering what a “Utopia-like studio arrangement” would have added here.

“Remember” is as “old-school” as it gets. Somewhere close to Hoboken, a while back, I surely believe that Frank Sinatra would be smiling, coyly crooning this one! Not that there’s anything wrong with that…

“Goodbye” has obvious sentiment that encompasses some strumming sound like an old toy, that isn’t ‘totally’ broken. That very clever sound sums up the song for me.

“Reunion” IS Utopia-ish right out of the late 1970’s, even if all the clapping is too much,. Makes you wonder about the history of this song, and why it was tagged on like a little encore.

In these times where mainstream music has created a void in depth and lack of perspective, it’s refreshing to hear a body of work that doesn’t shy away from its’ artists’ vision and allows the listener to gracefully reflect in a manner that isn’t self serving, but warms the heart.