(March 30, 2022) Jef Kearns and his flute have been a constant presence on SoulTracks for more than a decade. Often Kearns is doing some creative improvising on instrumental cuts. Recently, Kearns has teamed up with singers to put a jazzy spin on some R&B and funk classics from the 1960s and 70s. For instance, Kearns and Alana Bridgewater engaged in a funky conversation of the sensual cut that sports a pretty memorable bass line with their reinterpretation of Leon Heywood’s “I Wanna Do Something Freaky With You.”
Now, Kearns collaborates with Aria Zenua on a rendition of The Supremes big hit “Stop In the Name of Love.” With Kearns melodic and creative playing, his version of “Stop In the Name of Love” becomes a duet and musical conversation between instrumentalist and vocalist. The two have a call and response thing going with Kearns playing off Zenua’s honest interpretation of angst and pleading vocal style made famous by Diana Ross.
The accompanying video has a retro psychedelic feel. It shows Zenua singing the lead and backing vocal parts and recreating the class stop hand movements done by Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard. Check out the World Premiere of Kearns and Zenua on “Stop In the Name of Love” here.
By Howard Dukes
World Premiere
Jef Kearns feat. Aria Zenua
“Stop In the Name of Love”