Reggie Braxton has a way of tapping right into the sonic heart of those classic soul records from the seventies without ever sounding anything other than bang-up-to-date. And “Flirtin,” his latest single, brilliantly captures those same late-night vibes that were found in a Barry White or later Marvin Gaye record, that same blend of sass and seduction, soulfulness and sensuality.
It’s a song that exists where soul sophistication meets pop accessibility, somehow blending a prominent beat with skillful understatement to create a groove that is anything but imposing and yet totally contagious.
And by the time he has deftly soaked the song in gentle brass textures and background string washes, “Flirtin” reveals itself to be as much about atmosphere as artistry.
This is a song that moves effortlessly, with motifs, riffs, and melody ebbing and flowing to create a musical dynamic felt rather than heard, music that bypasses the ears and the brain and heads straight for the heart and the soul of the listener. There is a reason why we call this soul music.
