(December 9, 2021) Snoh Aalegra’s interpretation of the Bobby Caldwell classic “What You Won’t Do For Love” is uniquely Snoh Aalegra. Her “Do 4 Love” is sparse and haunting. Aalegra’s vocal delivery is more jazz inspired than R&B, as she uses the keyboard and atmospheric synth arrangement as a starting point to stay just ahead of and behind the song’s melody. That serves as her way to express the longing and vulnerability found in the tune’s lyrics. Caldwell accomplished the same thing by matching his achingly soulful vocal to a musical arrangement that fused R&B with some jazz elements.
Artists have a couple of options when remaking a song, particularly one as beloved as Caldwell’s classic: They can seek to absolutely nail a straight-ahead remake, or they can seek a total remake and reimagination. Aalegra selected the latter option which plays to her strengths as a vocalist who can mine emotions ranging from complete devotion to simmering anger in an under stated manner.
She’s got a lot of fans, and I’m one of them, but she swung for the fences by taking on Bobby Caldwell’s 1978 classic. Did she connect? Check “Do 4 Love.”
By Howard Dukes
Snoh Aalegra – “Do 4 Love”
