First Listen: Peaches — without Herb — shines on a lush ballad

peaches

[Publisher’s Note: Subsequent to publishing this, we discovered — thanks to some very knowledgeable SoulTrackers — that this is not a new song, despite it being marketed as one. It is instead a reissue of a 1994 song, originally recorded by the duo Tavani and included on their album “Urban Missionaries.”]

(July 19, 2019) Four decades ago, Linda Tavani (nee Greene) forever secured her legacy in the world of soul music when, as the third lady to become the “Peaches” half of Peaches & Herb, she sang on globally influential hits including “Reunited,” “Shake Your Groove Thing,” and “I Pledge My Love.” After the group went on hiatus during the mid-1980s, she continued doing session work (most notably, on Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), thereafter recording gospel music with her husband during the ‘90s.

The arrival of “How Many Times” marks Tavani’s first time in the spotlight in over a decade. If the self-penned ballad is a telling indicator of what’s in store on her upcoming album, it will be most certainly be, as Peaches & Herb once related, “worth the wait.” Bolstered by a sophisticated arrangement with the glistening of classic keyboards, an authentic rhythm section, and Kirk Whalum’s sax prowess, “Peaches” exudes conviction and sparkling passion while relaying a spiritually based message of hope in the pursuit of love. New listeners may well have a hard time believing that she’s been singing professionally since the ‘70s—certainly not for any lack of strength or technique, but for the ageless sprightfulness of her tone and performance.

Take a listen to “How Many Times” below and let us know what you think of Peaches’ new single.

by Justin Kantor

Linda Tavani feat. Kirk Whalum
“How Many Times”

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