*After more than five decades in the music industry, award-winning R&B singer and recording artist, Jeffrey Osborne, is still one of the premier vocalists on the planet. And, for the first-time in about 13 years, the living legend is set to release a new R&B album of original songs, entitled, Worth It All. The album is available this Friday, May 25.
According to Osborne, the album contains 12 songs, all of which feature his vocal styling. Osborne wrote all the tunes, with the exception of “Work It,” which he co-wrote with his son, who works with him as a sound engineer. Jeffrey, Jr. also demonstrates other skills by rapping on “Work It,” which gives his father’s music a different vibe (check it out via the Soundcloud player above).
“My son is 28, but this is one of the oldest sounding songs on the album,” Osborne told EUR’s Lee Bailey during a recent interview. “He came up with the track, and I did the melody and lyrics. He went old school on me! It was fun working with him. It was something that I never thought would happen.”
While the rap, intertwined with Osborne’s voice is still strikingly old school, there are several other songs on the new album that bring the veteran crooner home to his R&B roots, including the title song, “Worth It All.” It’s also the album’s first single (listen to it via the Soundcloud player below).
Interestingly, Osborne’s new album is released by Metro Detroit-based Mack Avenue Records, which traditionally has been a jazz-oriented label. Yet, the record company, when presented a chance to sign the R&B legendary singer, could not pass on the opportunity. The company signed him with the promise that his R&B/old school style of singing was welcomed. Mack Avenue Records’ commitment to Osborne was music to his ears.
“I really wanted to get back to doing one of those good old ‘Grown Folks’ records,” Osborne said. “I approached it thinking about songs I listened to in the past that influenced me, and then I wrote my versions of them.”
If his classic songs of the past have greatly influenced Osborne, it’s a good bet his national and international fans will be ecstatic about the new songs. After all, Osborne’s portfolio of R&B hit songs include, “I Really Don’t Need No Light,” “On the Wings of Love,” “Stay With Me Tonight,” “We’re Going All The Way,” “Don’t You Get So Mad,” “Plane Love,” “Only Human,” “You Should Be Mine (The Woo Woo Song),” among many others.
Want more of our exclusive chat with Jeffrey Osborne? No problem. We’ll have part 2 for you this Friday, May 25, the day his new album, “Worth It All” releases.
