Review by Vickie Scott & Staff
Coast 2 Coast Feat. The Fantastic Gems have good vibes to share in their R & B song "Only If You Want To" from their album The New Old Skool.
The intro starts with a snare fill as the horns set-up the tune. Listeners are treated to remnants of 1960's Motown groups like the Commodores, Miracles, and Temptations which is heard in the band's infectious groove, harmonies, and lyrical style.
The horns and drum groove emphasize the intense melodies in the vocals. Morris “Rocky” Whitaker and Robert Finney's vocal performance are bright and sultry. Warren Jones masterfully produces keyboard, synthesizer, clavinet, drums, strings, and percussion in this fresh, throwback styling song. Production by Morris Whitaker, Robert, and Tanya Finney is bumping and highlights the fire between R & B and jazz music.
Morris Whitaker wrote the song with such soul and passion. It is about choosing to stay together. Lyrically the song is addressing one person and the words are seductive and intimate. In addition, the words call for unity. The inclusive lyrics call on people to come together and stay together and this will resonate with people right now.
“Tell me baby what it is that we must do. I don't want to hear you say that we are through. Take a look inside your heart is there room for two, let's stay together, me and you, but only if you want to."
“Only If You Want To” is a great mood booster with inspirational overtones. Coast 2 Coast Feat. The Fantastic Gems has an old school R & B, Motown, and Jazz style with a focus on expressive vocals, tight harmonies, funky grooves, and uplfiting lyrics. The Fantastic Gems have a pristine and lively sound that works well with Coast 2 Coast. You can feel the R & B, Gospel, Jazz, and Soul roots running through the fabric of who they are - they don't hold back, and you can hear the joy and love in every note.
The New Old Skool is available on Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music.
Stream on Spotify.
About Coast to Coast Feat. The Fantastic Gems
Back in 1968, at Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, a music group called The Fantastic Gems was born. After graduation, the talented musicians went off to college, the military, and new careers. Years later, two of the original members reformed in Washington D.C. as "Coast 2 Coast" and began recording and performing from 1986 to 1990.
In 2016, The Fantastic Gems got back together to fulfill a promise they made to each other when they were young students in New Jersey. The result of their reunion was the release of The New Old Skool, a project that took three years to complete. The album is a tribute to their musical roots, and was made in recognition of the community who encouraged, supported and shaped their musical spirit. The New Old Skool features 11 great songs that fans of R & B,Gospel, Pop, and Jazz will love.
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