WILL DOWNING - YESTERDAY

Part one (of three) of a great new project from Will Downing – a set in which he deals with the past, present, and future of soul music. This set's about the past, in case you can't guess from the title – and has Downing doing some wonderfully sweet takes on soul classics from years back – four solid smokers from the 60s and 70s, all given that incredibly warm, soulful Will Downing approach! There's a slight touch of jazz in the backings, and all the sophistication in the vocals that have always made Will so great – and titles include "La La Means I Love You", "Send For Me", "This Time I'll Be Sweeter", and "Ooh Baby Baby".  Will Downing’s Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow represents the artist’s first independent release and will fittingly be delivered in a revived format of yesterday, the EP. So named for its Extended Play, the EP is more than a single but less than a full album and in this case will represent three brilliant four-song releases that will be delivered over the course of a year.

Music lovers left hungry for something grown and sexy should rejoice over these bite-sized creations. As the name suggests, the first EP, Yesterday, will be the appetizer, focusing on some of Will Downing’s favorite re-makes or as he refers to them, “interpretations”, of songs of yesterday , delivered seamlessly with both his signature stylings and a deep respect for the original. The listener will be treated to an absolute classic Quiet Storm R&B set as Downing puts his stamp on The Delfonics’ – "La La Means I Love You", Smokey Robinson’s – "Ooh Baby Baby", Angela Bofill’s – "This Time I’ll Be Sweeter" and the project’s first single, the Atlantic Starr signature slow jam – "Send For Me". In hand-picking these selections, Downing insightfully notes that “each song interprets love from a different point of view”.

The next release, Today, will arrive around Valentine’s Day 2012, and will showcase Will Downing’s well earned status as the Prince of Sophisticated Soul. Dessert gets served in the form of the projected Summer 2012 release of Tomorrow, which will feature Downing venturing slightly outside of the box in which some might expect him to remain. The musical trilogy Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow represents a rare display of an artist in complete touch with his craft, his audience and the changing times that currently influence both. For the consumer, the uniquely staggered time-release schedule will keep the fresh product coming while offering the experience of focusing more deeply on fewer songs at a reduced cost to acquire. This time around, the anticipated song creations that will serve to complete the trilogy are part of the intrigue and mystique of the release. However, given the considerable quality of the body of work that is Will Downing’s “yesterday”, there is little reason to expect anything less, today, tomorrow or ever!