L.A. singer/producer/funkman James Fauntleroy seems happy to release new music whenever he pleases, as he's put out a couple of tracks this year that don't seem to be meant for any future project. His new one, "Feel," doesn't sound too polished, but it's the type of direct output that Fauntleroy's fans, no doubt, appreciate in this day and age. Besides, the rawness of the recording is part of the appeal, and the record itself is a product of wonderful ingenuity.
The vocals seem to bear a '90s influence, though perhaps I'm just going off the cover art -- showing Brandy and Fredro Starr about to share a kiss, a snapshot taken from the old sitcom "Moesha," in which both artists starred. The "Feel" instrumental brings to mind an earlier era, though it's mostly made up of digital sound effects. Combining his freewheeling vocals with his throwback electro-funk experiments leads to a piece of R&B that is in a different world than most of the other club-leaning sounds coming out of the genre today.
Quotable Lyrics
Got so much stress in your neck
And girl I feel it all in your back
This ain't no damn massage
Girl you know I'm just callin' it that