Lasting
romance should be celebrated, especially when it comes to monumental moments
such as anniversaries. For 25 years, urban-jazz saxophonist Kim Waters has ardently set the mood with musical overtures, vows and
come-ons that have been embraced to the tune of four No. 1 albums, 14 No. 1
singles and 16 Top 10 singles. The September 2 release of his 20th album,
“Silver Soul,” commemorates a quarter century of romance on a disc of new
R&B, contemporary jazz and pop gems that he produced, wrote (ten of the
twelve songs) and performed (saxes, background vocals and all the
instrumentation except for guitar).
Like
many writers, Waters wants his listeners to interpret his compositions rather
than spell out the specific meaning behind the songs. Perhaps a hint of mystery
heightens the romance although it is no mystery that the sweeping,
cinematically sweet soprano sax valentine “A Song For Dana” is about his wife
and collaborator, vocalist Dana Pope, who occupies the spotlight on the amorous
pledge “Anything You Need.” The first single and session starter, “Dreaming Of
You,” on which Waters gets an assist on piano from his daughter Kayla Waters,
is an exuberant paean redolent of falling in love. Waters has long displayed a
proclivity for crafting infectious hooks. “On A Mission” serves as a prime
example on which the gifted technician who orates though a variety of
saxophones fervently explores the full potential of the groove with his tenor
horn. A pleading sax is reinforced with a beautiful piano melody and vocal
chorus sung by Waters on the seductive “Stay Together.”
Originally
from the Baltimore, Maryland area, Waters was mentored by and shared friendship
with nearby Washington, DC go-go pioneer Chuck Brown, who receives a tribute on
the bouncy energizer “Go-Go Smooth.”
Waters currently resides near Austin, Texas in the enclave of Round Rock
spawning the radio-friendly excursion “Cruising Round Rock.”
Delving
back into his romantic muse, Waters gives the John Legend smash “All Of Me” a
stirring soprano sax treatment as arresting as the original. Perhaps the most
stunning cut is “Fireflies” on which the Disney star and Hollywood Records
vocalist Zendaya revisits her own illuminating recording for a breathtaking
duet with Waters that soars sensually aboard a cascading track that ebbs and
flows. The passion continues on the steamy “Let’s Make Love” making its
intentions known on the vocal chorus. Changing the mood, “High Stride” lifts
the tempo with a lilting strut led by tenor sax. Waters and R&B crooner
Eric Roberson co-wrote “Laying Beside Me,” which closes the record with what
bodes to become an urban AC hit. In fact, the entire album sounds like a collection
of multi-formatted radio singles, something Waters deliberately set out to do
when writing the music.
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