(September 15, 2025) It’s a familiar formula that, if paired correctly, never gets old: sleek instrumentation underscoring a powerful voice as the two complement without competing. The blend can be a hard one to achieve…unless the skills in question belong to trombonist Jeff Bradshaw and crooner extraordinaire Anthony Hamilton. Together, they’ve teamed up on the slow-burning “Nothing Else Matters,” the latest single from Bradshaw’s sixth studio release, The Cure.
Combining classical jazz and contemporary phrasing, Philadelphia’s Bradshaw has threaded and shaped dozens of neo-soul grooves over the years, working with Jill Scott, Earth Wind & Fire, Mary J. Blige, The Roots and even touring with the late, great King of Pop Michael Jackson. As a result, Jeff displays the subtlety required to glide the trombone alongside the vocals, rather than overtake them, showcasing Anthony’s gritty tenor and gossamer falsetto while highlighting his own prowess: “Nothing else matters much, only when we touch/I never wanna rush, when I am loving you. You make it possible, leaving my heart full, like on a pedestal and never wanna fall.”
A supple slow groove that perfectly winds down the summer, yet hints at a percolating autumn romance, “Nothing Else Matters” reminds listeners of the intensity of true love, as well as demonstrating how two talents can create magic from the humblest of ingredients: slide trombone and southern-dipped soul.
By Melody Charles
