When people think “retro soul” generally they jump to the ‘60s era of R&B and soul, but as time progresses the retro definition expands, decade by decade. Take 6, along with co-writer/producer Ross Vannelli, demonstrates their own encyclopedic knowledge of soul on their new album, Believe, which includes both secular and spiritual songs that have a decidedly modern retro flavor to them. Best known as an accapella group, Take 6 brings to this album more instrumentals than fans of pure accapella may appreciate (only three songs lack a backing band). Nonetheless, there is one song that echoes some of the greatest male R&B groups, but in their more seasoned years: Ray, Goodman and Brown and The Whispers in the late ‘80s or The Temptations in the mid-to-late ‘90s, all of these groups are captured in a simple sextet song about the most simple, yet amazing event in a life: falling in love.
Suitably, the romantic tune is entitled “You Know You’re In Love” and evokes a bit of the evening tropics in its breezy jazz instrumentations, but there’s also a bit of rootsy Americana represented by Stevie Wonder on an exquisitely placed harmonica. The doo-wop harmonies are close, separated only by an anchoring bass vocal. The melody is instantly catchy and radio-worthy for the smooth jazz and urban AC stations still holding strong. The lyric is almost quaint in its sweet descriptions of how one knows they’re in love, a soul shaking love. In its lack of showiness, if not for the memorable hook it might be the kind of song you miss entirely. But, a close listen to its quiet beauty and subtly expert arrangement will give you an earworm to last for days, just like a classic traditional soul song should.
By L. Michael Gipson
Take 6 – “You Know You’re In Love”
