(September 11, 2023) As long as SoulTracks has known singer/songwriter Keith Robertson, he has never shied away from exercising hope and faith through troublesome times. Being mentored by already established pros (his uncles, Chris Jasper and Rudolph Isley from the Isley Brothers), Robertson toured with the Dazz Band and his musicianship graced some of R&B and soul music’s finest like Teddy Pendergrass. But it is his solo body of work debuting with the powerful, gospel/R&B mix of Love, Life, and Relations album in 2006 that radiates soulful joy.
After an extended timeout from the industry, Robertson was revved and rested up in producing several recent uplifting First Listens. There was the argument breaking party jam, “Don’t Fight, Just Dance,” “Can’t Steal My Joy, a steppers’ delight that speaks for itself, and “Can’t Change Yesterday,” focusing on future proper life perspective.
On his latest First Listen contribution, Robertson remains unhesitant navigating the negative by transforming the circumstances to a positive outcome thru mini sermons and antidotes. The platform for “Say It” challenges us to seek out genuine forgiveness, no matter what feelings arise. Robertson’s creamy tenor intros this older school R&B ballad decorated with sparkling electric piano, subtle guitar strokes from Michael McDonald and Raymond Kelly’s pure bass guitar foundation.
Besides serving as producer, arranger and multi-tasking keys and drums, Robertson offers purposeful lyrics – even if the ‘tomorrow is never promised’ focal point is a more than familiar saying. Keep the love, life and relationship stories coming, Keith. Listen Up!
By Peggy Oliver
Keith Robertson – “Say It”