First Listen: PJ Morton takes on a Gap Band classic

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(June 2, 2019) Last year soul torchbearer and ST fave PJ Morton made lots of noise for his smooth soul interpretation of the Bee Gees’ “How Deep Is Your Love,” a song that earned him a Grammy for Best Traditional R&B Performance back in February. He’s picking up where he left off with a bold, astonishing take on the Gap Band’s “Yearning for Your Love.” This update is equipped with Morton’s signature style: cozy D’Angelo-esque backing vocals, jazzy keyboard wizardry and slick cool finger-poppin’ beats are all there.

It’s a pretty excellent take, one that upholds much of the silkiness of the original while complementing the legacy of the original using newer, edgier riffs, but this offering – like Beyoncé’s take on Frankie Beverly’s “Before I Let Go” – should in no way replace the Gap Band’s cookout-ready masterpiece. It’s just something about hearing Charlie Wilson’s infectious crooning and the swell of glorious guitar solos channeling the likes of Ernie Isley on that revered ‘80’s classic.

But hey, let us know what you think.

By J Matthew Cobb

PJ Morton – “Yearning For Your Love”

Video

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