(December 19, 2024) During the summer of 1982, the release of Evelyn “Champagne” King’s “Love Come Down” cemented the distinctively soulful vocalist’s standing as a consistent R&B hitmaker. While audiences in America and abroad alike had helped propel now classics ranging from the disco stomper “Shame” to the early synth-funk jam “I’m in Love” to legendary status, there were a few commercial misses in between. Starting with the Kashif-penned “I’m in Love” in 1981, however, King began a particularly prolific hit-making period which stretched towards the end of the decade.
Interestingly, her label removed the “Champagne” moniker from her name on releases during the height of this popularity. It didn’t deter listeners across the aisle from taking to her keenly relatable and relevant sound, as “Love Come Down” topped the American R&B charts and made the top-10 in the UK while crossing over to the US top 10.
Four decades on, with King still actively touring and drawing large crowds at various festivals and gigs of her own, Quantize Records’ DJ Spen and noted remixer Ezel have collaborated with her for a newly recorded, fresh reconstruction of “Love Come Down” that retains the relaxed and funky vibe of the original recording—with some extra vocal spice and rhythmic juice to draw in new fans. Spen and Ezel have conjured both house and R&B mixes of the reimagining, with King’s updated vox emitting a familiar passion that envelops each setting with plentiful finesse and vibrance.
Nearly a decade has passed since King’s last solo single, and this rendering of “Love Come Down” will undoubtedly be a welcome surprise for longtime fans—while also sparking the flames of desire for more new material. Songwriter Kashif, who programmed and played most of the instrumentation on the 1982 recording (produced with Paul Laurence and Morrie Brown), would likely be pleased with the integrity displayed by the respect demonstrated for his then-cutting-edge rhythmic arrangements.
Take a First Listen to Ezel & DJ Spen’s R&B reproduction of “Love Come Down,” and welcome back the incomparable Evelyn “Champagne” King to SoulTracks!
