R&B crooner Will Downing has been one of the consistent vocalists for decades. Always consistent and always classy, he can go from “love ya, baby” sensuality to Coltranes’ “A Love Supreme” and not break stride. His latest one has his mahogany-toned voice in full throttle, and he sounds like a modern day Barry White on the synth-soft “Sexy” while the electronic rhythms create a down pillow softness for him to deliver the mood on “Stuff That I Like” and “Falling.” What seems to work best is he re-vamping the old Miracles’ “Ooh Baby Baby,” giving it a bit more Y chromosome than the original. A live rehearsal that includes a medley of “I Go Crazy/Wishing On A Star/I Try” has the most human feel of the whole disc, as the electronics are mostly gone, and you’re just left with Downing and his charm with the band. Nice moment, and you wish there were more.
Sophisticated Soul