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Month: February 2014

(THEY LONG TO BE) CLOSE TO YOU

from UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

written by Burt Bacharach & Hal David

American Idol alumni Ruben Studdard recently released his new CD, “Unconditional Love.” This collection will put a big smile on the faces of all music lovers who have missed the smooth soul/R&B sounds of great performers including the late Luther Vandross, Peabo Bryson and Jeffrey Osborne. “Unconditional Love” is the brainchild of Studdard and Verve’s chairman, David Foster. Together, they selected the material to be included on the album. This incorporated some of the most romantic songs ever written plus a couple of new love ballads.

WHEN I FALL IN LOVE

from WHEN I FALL IN LOVE (single)

written by Victor Young & Edward Heyman

Co-written in the early fifties by Victor Young and Edward Heyman, “When I Fall In Love” has become a popular American standard that has been covered by dozens of musical superstars including Tony Bennett, Doris Day, Karen Carpenter, Barry Manilow, Johnny Mathis and Rod Stewart. This classic has also been performed by jazz greats Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Chet Baker and Keith Jarrett.

BREAKIN’ AWAY

from BREAKIN’ AWAY/(ROUND, ROUND, ROUND) BLUE RONDO A LA TURK (single)

written by Al Jarreau, Jay Graydon & Tom Canning

The end of 1981 saw the release of Al Jarreau’s new single “Breakin’ Away,” the title track of the singer’s platinum album released earlier that same year. “Breakin’ Away” was a laid-back tune co-written by Jarreau with collaborators Jay Graydon and Tom Canning. Produced by Graydon, the song sports a catchy melody, ear-candy refrain and refined funky beat. This track has smooth rhythms and superior arrangements that gives Jarreau plenty of room to shine with his slick falsetto dancing over the rich instrumental track.

SIMONE

from THE ESSENTIAL BOZ SCAGGS

written by David Foster & Boz Scaggs

When writing the weekly reviews, David Foster’s work is often described as “elegant” and “sophisticated.” Those terms certainly apply to most of the music maker’s extraordinary body of work, but they are especially fitting for Foster’s pop/soul productions of the late seventies and early eighties.