It’s a romance that has blossomed for 25 years. Serving the songs in his heart, Kim Waters (www.KimWaters.net) uses music and his saxophone to craft R&B, pop and light jazz instrumental and vocal numbers that touch the hearts of his listeners. And feel it they do to the tune of four No. 1 albums, 14 No. 1 singles and 16 Top 10 singles. On a record that is certain to add his chart success, Waters will release his 20th album, the aptly titled “Silver Soul,” on September 2 to commemorate his 25th year as a recording artist.
In the studio, Waters is virtually a one-man band as he played soprano and tenor sax, sang hooks and background vocals, and handled all of the instrumentation on “Silver Soul” except for guitar. The multitalented musician from the Baltimore, Maryland area wrote or co-wrote ten songs and produced the entire set, including two stirring covers: an intimate soprano sax and piano rendering of John Legend’s poignant hit, “All Of Me,” and a stunning, soaring and sensual re-imagination of “Fireflies” featuring the original artist, Disney starlet and Hollywood Records vocalist Zendaya.
From top to bottom, Waters’ soulful and impassioned sax shines on “Silver Soul.” Improvising, he wails and plays a lot of notes while exploring the full potential of each harmonic statement. The disc sounds like a collection of hit singles. Waters has a penchant for penning grand melodies that he sets amidst rhythmic, often sensuous grooves adorned with astute percussive décor.
The first single and session starter, “Dreaming Of You,” on which Waters gets an assist on piano from his daughter Kayla Waters, is an exuberant paean redolent of falling in love. “On A Mission” has the driven technician orating through his tenor horn. A pleading sax is reinforced with a beautiful piano melody and vocal chorus sung by Waters on the seductive “Stay Together.” In his early years, Waters was mentored by Washington, DC go-go pioneer Chuck Brown, who receives a tribute on the bouncy energizer “Go-Go Smooth.” Waters’ wife, vocalist Dana Pope, occupies the spotlight on the amorous pledge “Anything You Need.” The couple currently resides near Austin, Texas in the enclave of Round Rock spawning the radio-friendly excursion “Cruising Round Rock.” After the two covers, the seduction continues on the steamy “Let’s Make Love” making its intentions known on the vocal chorus. Changing the mood, “High Stride” lifts the tempo with a lilting strut led by tenor sax. Perhaps a hint of mystery heightens the romance although it is no mystery that the sweeping, cinematically sweet soprano sax valentine “A Song For Dana” is about Waters’ wife and collaborator. He and R&B crooner Eric Roberson co-wrote “Laying Beside Me,” which closes the record with what bodes to become an urban AC hit.
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