(October 5, 2024) Michael Franks is an artist who defies simple classification. Is he pop, contemporary jazz, Yacht Rock/Soul, R&B? He’s all of those with a dash of funk added. That is likely what attracted Paris based producer DoctorSoul to a project that remixes a few songs from Franks’ deep catalog.
This project is a part of an initiative by the label Too Slow to Disco to remix songs by artists who a part of the Warner Music family. DoctorSoul remixed two songs – “You Can’t Fake it and “When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone).” The latter tune is featured in this First Listen.
“When Sly Calls,” a track from his 1983 album Passion Fruit, is vintage Michael Franks. His understated and smooth vocals put the focus on Franks’ vivid lyricism, storytelling and tight musicianship of his band. The story Franks tells on “When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)” is one anyone with a cell phone and a relative or friends with ‘issues can identify with.
An acquaintance named Sly calls and does nothing but pour bad vibes and bad news into Franks’ life to the point that he dreams of being anywhere but on the phone at that moment. It’s gotten to the point that a ringing phone is a trigger – hence the backing vocalists repeated refrain “Don’t touch the phone.”
The original is a pensive, mid-tempo jazz infused R&B tune that sweeps into an urgently up-tempo jazz/funk pace when the hook hits and Franks engages in call and response with backing singers. The DoctorSoul remake retains Franks signature vocals but amps up the tempo into a relentlessly funky and danceable pace featuring a bouncy bass line. Check it out here.
By Howard Dukes
