Combining a seventies-infused vibe from the golden days of soul with a modern reappraisal of that signature sound, The Brax-Tone Experience is a collection of songs that covers a lot of ground. Taking the sort of seductive sounds and rich harmonics that did so well for everyone from 60’s Marvin Gaye to 70’s Barry White to the more understated end of today’s neo-soul and R&B artists, this is a timeless-sounding album.
But timely, too. With much of the music in this genre being reduced to digital beats and crude lyrics, Reggie Braxton reminds us that style and sophistication are still on the table…if you know where to look.
If “Notice Me” isn’t the most heavenly and romantic soul offering you have heard of late, thanks to its gorgeous blend of bubbling beats and drifting sentiments, I would be shocked.
There are more upbeat songs, such as “Best of Me,” which push these sensuous sonics into more dance-fuelled realms. There are bluesier grooves with “Miss Riddle” and even songs that lean into more gospel flavors, as with the saxophone and vocal harmony-driven “I Pray It’s You.”
Reggie Braxton offers plenty of variation, but what he does so well are those romantic soul ballads. So when you are in the mood for something full of love and longing, delicacy and poise, this is the album to reach for.