(September 25, 2026) Mississippi-born singer Paul Davis had a big run of soft pop hits in the late 1970s and early 1980s, before he shocked his label and the music industry by abruptly quitting as a performer – right after landing his biggest hit ever. Known for his chart hits “65 Love Affair” and “I Go Crazy,” Davis may be best represented on adult contemporary radio by the title song of his final album, the smooth 1982 smash “Cool Night.”
As great as the original “Cool Night” was, the heavily synthesized arrangement of the song has not aged well, and I’ve always thought it was a song that was screaming for a contemporary remake. Well, popular soul singers Keith Eatmon and JC Sol must have been thinking the same thing, as they’ve now released a duet cover of “Cool Night” that reminds us why we fell in love with the song four decades ago.
Produced by Nelson Braxton of The Braxton Brothers, the new “Cool Night” has a cool, uncluttered sound driven by a steady beat and bass line that allow the two singers room to explore. And they deliver, providing a jazz-influenced, groove-filled jam that would work on a dance floor or on a top-down ride.
The best remakes are those that are more than nostalgic exercises, but are reimaginings that make listeners hear the composition in a new way. This is one of those songs, and a welcome, fresh take on an old favorite.
By Chris Rizik
