It's a little retro, very soulful, and definitely one for your collection. Wayne Brady has finally put out his solo CD, and frankly I wish he could outsell Jamie Foxx's double platinum effort about sex, sex, and more sex with a few rappers thrown in. Well Wayne's CD, "A Long Time Coming," is justly titled, has no rappers (except Wayne on the party stomper "Back in the Day" (one of my favorites), and is about love...sometimes, about love that has come to an end, like "You and Me," clearly about his recent divorce.
Nonetheless, Wayne's refreshing takes on the Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" (turned into a ballad and a true gem on this CD), Stevie Wonder's "All I Do" (well done, Wayne!) and Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" are alone worth buying this CD. And yes, he actually puts his own stank on these songs and does not try to imitate the originators, unlike a lot of artists doing cover songs today. (I won't name names, but you know who you are, fakers!) The lead song, "Ordinary," isn't bad either. Loveliness can be found on "Sweetest Berry." That should get radio play. Kudos to Wayne, a man with a great voice.
My only hope is Concord Music Group will support this album and help put it on the charts in a good spot. Wayne needs to open up for some folks on tour, Maxwell perhaps?
It's been "a long time coming" since some really nice music not focused on the booty has been recorded by a man. Is the face of R&B starting to change?
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