Reviewed by Stu Berketo.
Boney James has the knack and talent to make you forget for an instant, that he is classified as a ‘Contemporary jazz' artist. Though he's never made any bones about his penchant for leaning towards the R’n’B sound through his own style and teamwork with many of the hottest urban performers and musicians, his latest release totally takes that notion to new heights.
Upon it's late-March release, 'Contact' instantly connected with jazz and urban fans, spending 7 straight weeks as the #1 album on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart, while reaching Top 20 status on the Billboard R’n’B chart. That doesn't happen by accident and it's not an achievement that many, if any, of his peers can boast about.
The title song and first single is Boney James at his typical ‘sax-o-magic’ best, but with a rich and driving bass line, punctuated with very stylish electric guitar solos that pull the tune in an incredible direction. 'Spin' is another great instrumental example of Boney's chic urban style where once again he proves how to strike the perfect rhythmic chord with his fans.
But what really sends 'Contact' into R’n’B territory are the superb vocalists he brings to the album, including former Destiny's Child singer LeToya Luckett on 'When I Had The Chance'. Her credentials and talents speak loudly on this medium-slow track where she bares her 'soul' over lost love, and could have easily have been a track on any Destiny's Child album. Grammy and Tony award winning vocalist Heather Headley is brought in for 'I'm Waiting' and shines magnificently on yet another urban 'bulls eye' tune. And listeners will definitely want to give a serious look (and listen!) to 'The Look On Your Face' featuring R’n’B megastar Mario, and straddles a fine line between urban chill and dance floor material.
Boney has come up empty handed in his 3 Grammy nominations, but not surprisingly is a Soul Train Award winner. The sax man also has four albums that are certified Gold, which undeniably shows that he doesn't attempt an RnB sound, he is indeed the Contemporary jazz master of it. 'Contact' is soulful, chic, very sexy, and guaranteed to resonate with that inner 'soul' that exists in all of us.
