from HURRICANE
written by Eric Benet, Dean Parks & Danny Peck
Eric Benet’s “Hurricane” is the third album by the talented R&B singer/songwriter. Released in June 2005, it presented in its tracklist a handful of refined songs produced by David Foster and Humberto Gatica. Those tunes were recorded a couple of years earlier and, compared to Benet’s previous, modern R&B efforts, show a different side of the singer, more intimate and acoustic.
A good description could be a cross between Bill Withers and James Taylor with a jazzy twist. Let’s focus, in particular, on a special love song that Benet co-wrote for his daughter, India. “India” is truly a wonderful tune, co-written with legendary guitarist Dean Parks and veteran singer/songwriter Danny Peck, whose debut album in the Seventies was one of Foster’s first productions.
Musically it is a rarefied, mid-tempo moment founded on the delicate rhythms of Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Nathan East on bass with Parks’ acoustic guitar in the spotlight. The song’s mood and Benet’s outstanding vocal performance have strong echoes of Kenny Loggins’ work of the nineties on his refined adult contemporary albums, “Leap Of Faith” and “Unimaginable Life.” The ice on this classy cake is Chris Botti’s elegant trumpet solo that adds a delicious jazzy spin to the track. The production by Foster and Gatica is immaculate and the sounds an absolute listening pleasure.
Listen
[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/india.mp3|titles=India|artists=Eric Benet]
Lead Vocals: Eric Benet
Guitars: Dean Parks & Tim Pierce
Bass: Nathan East
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Trumpet Solo: Chris Botti
Produced by David Foster & Humberto Gatica
Co-Produced by Eric Benet
Lyrics
I got the biggest part of heaven in my life
And I can feel it every time I see your eyes
You’re my world, you’re my light
India
If I could you know I’d open every door
But your own journey makes it mean so much more
I believe in all your dreams
India
Down, you’ll never let me down
When you follow your own way
Speak the words only you would say
Keep reaching for your star
If won’t be far
When love’s behind you
You’re the miracle of life that love has made
This bond between the two of us will never break
Your flower blooms, I sing for you
India
You hold the universe inside your little hands
So don’t you listen if they just don’t understand you
When you try, you always fly
India
Yes baby
Keep reaching for your star
If won’t be far
I’m right behind you
I got the biggest part of heaven in my life
And I can feel it every time I see your eyes
You’re my world, you’re my light
India
I believe in all your dreams
India
When you try, you always fly
India, yes you do baby