Will Downing: Euphoria

Soul Express CD of the Month - January-March 2014

Buy this album from our CD Shop

  ‘Elegant’ is the key word in describing Will Downing’s music.  Only eight songs on display and the running time of mere 36 minutes, the latest CD, Euphoria (Sophisticated Soul; www.willdowning.com), is actually Will’s 17^th studio album and I for one am a proud owner of all of them on Island, Mercury, Verve, Motown, Peak Records, Concord and Sophisticated Soul (www.soulexpress.net/willdowning_discography.htm).

  Produced by Will himself, he writes on the sleeve that “I decided to go back to my roots, a combination of Jazz and R&B”, and indeed, backed by a skilful combo, Will creates a relaxed but captivating late-night atmosphere with a subtle jazzy touch.  There are innovative covers of many familiar songs, such as Stevie Wonder’s Too High and a restrained and sensual version of Gamble & Huff’s Turn off the Lights, with a sax solo by Gerald Albright.

  Will co-wrote the slow and atmospheric Heaven in Your Eyes, whereas Lush Life is a well-known “lounge” standard.  There’s a soothing Latin touch on Meu Bem Querer, and Hall & Oates’ She’s Gone is the poppiest track on the set.  The beautiful If I Were a Magician was earlier recorded at least by Lou Rawls and the co-writer of the song, Billy Vera, and finally the jazziest cut on the CD, You Can Bring Me Flowers, was recorded also by its co-writer, an American folk singer by the name of Ray Lamontagne.  I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘elegant’ Euphoria by Mr. Downing.

© Heikki Suosalo