Will Downing – The Promise (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 44:23 minutes | 529 MB | Genre: Gospel
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Shanachie
When an artist who has maintained a career that is deemed successful, sometimes the stability in all the achievements and awards can be taken for granted. So as a dramatic or near catastrophic situation stares that musician or vocalist in the face, the challenges to their professional life could be turned into a make it moment or a career breaker. Will Downing, one of adult contemporary urban top notch singer/songwriters found himself in the midst of a serious health scare over ten years ago. Yet instead of shaking a fist at the industry, Downing was already etching his own testimony about how God would see him through, despite the possibly detrimental odds. Fast forward to 2018, where the Prince of Sophisticated Soul expresses his gratitude and faith on his upcoming CD, The Promise (Shanachie Entertainment). Undoubtedly, Downing gives God the glory and much of the material could be translate to an uplifting praise and worship environment. However, how does The Promise really fare with Downing pretty much sticking to his creamy soulful baritone that has brought him several Top 50 R&B CD’s in the last three decades?
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Will Downing – Black Pearls (2016)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 51:21 minutes | 614 MB | Genre: R&B
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Shanachie
The source material for the inspired, all-covers Black Pearls album was popularized strictly by women. It’s an unsurprising concept, given that Will Downing made his 1987 solo debut with a version of Deniece Williams’ “Free” and went on to cover classics by Rose Royce and Aretha Franklin. The singer’s first album for the Shanachie label, this features updates of well-known songs, mostly ballads, that originated in the late ’70s and the early ’90s. The likes of Jean Carn’s “Don’t Let It Go to Your Head,” Williams’ “Black Butterfly,” René & Angela’s “Your Smile,” and Brenda Russell’s “Get Here” — easily the biggest crossover hit among the selections — are reinterpreted faithfully with Downing’s typical richness and restraint. Phyllis Hyman’s “Meet Me on the Moon” (1991), co-written by Gene McDaniels, is the deepest selection, but even that one is far from obscure, and it’s evidently as close to Downing’s heart as anything else. A characteristically polished recording produced by Downing, it involves discerning use of strings and horns, as well as help from some longtime associates. Wife Audrey Wheeler Downing on background vocals, Melvin Davis on bass, and Randy Bowland on guitar are all along for the trip. Kirk Whalum’s flute augments “Nights Over Egypt,” and Najee takes a saxophone solo on “Street Life.” ~ Andy Kellman
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