(September 9, 2020) Back in 2009, Detroit native Kelvin Johnson, better known as K’Jon, made a big splash with his seminal #1 hit, “On the Ocean.“
Now, the self-proclaimed “Ocean Man” has put the finishing touches on a 10th anniversary project entitled “My Ship Has Finally Come,” which is taken from a lyric in “On the Ocean.” Initially delayed by COVID-19, the project is scheduled to be released on October 1st, 2020. K’Jon calls his upcoming full-length project “a feel-good, happy album” that contains “a selection of new and familiar songs that [he’s] put together over the last 10 years with some incredible remixes.”
Two of these remixes are a Caribbean version of “On the Ocean” and his latest single and our newest First Listen, “Beautiful Thing (Summer Breeze).“ The latter is a cover of his song, “It’s a Beautiful Thing”, initially released in 2014. K’Jon’s “Beautiful” remake is slightly different in tempo but keeps the essence of the original recording. The smooth singer describes the song as being “about a budding relationship…somewhat like a flower that blooms in the cracks of a concrete pavement from mere dew drops.” He adds, “When a flower blooms on the sidewalk, it’s a beautiful thing and then it is most certainly admired and given overdue commendation!”
K’Jon also recently debuted the video for “Beautiful Thing (Summer Breeze),” which he calls “a work of art and [his] best video to date.” The song visual follows a new romance between an interracial couple, which even if done unintentionally, provides a powerful message in itself. It shows that it’s still possible – even in this racially divided world – to not allow differences in color to blind a person from seeing the beauty of someone else.
So, check out the video for “Beautiful Thing (Summer Breeze)” below, do a little two-step, if you like, and let’s welcome K’Jon back to SoulTracks!
By Darnea N. Samuels