(January 26, 2019) Although Gina Foster may not be a household name, she’s spent the better part of three decades purveying soulful tunes with a subtly rich tone and finely tuned phrasing. When she debuted on the UK charts in 1989 with “Love Is a House,” she foreshadowed a distinctively nuanced stylistic approach that perhaps provided a bit of inspiration for then-future British soul star Gabrielle (“Dreams,” “Rise”).
After too long out of the spotlight, Foster returns with an undisputably classy midtempo swayer, “What’s Happening Next?”—an exclusive track on Expansion Records’ upcoming Luxury Soul 2019 three-disc set. There’s not a hint of contrivance in her delivery of the tune’s relatable passages: “I wonder what’s happening next in my life/I hope it’s so good, I’ll forget about tonight/‘Cause our love is gone, and I’m letting you go…It seems that I’ve loved you so long, I can’t see/A time when you won’t be a big part of me…”
Backed by a lush arrangement with symphonic flourishes, the mood is at once reflective and hopeful. The instrumental fullness and Foster’s vocal sincerity are a reminder that flowing melodies and emotive production can flourish with no need for flashy mixing or overpowering interpretation. Take a First listen below and let us know what you think!