Since 2012, PJ Morton has served as one of the keyboardists for pop/rock band Maroon 5. However, he also has a successful solo discography that includes seven solo albums, four live albums, two EP’S, and one mixtape. Morton is currently working hard on his eighth solo album and recently released the first single, “Please Don’t Walk Away.”
A beautiful ballad that harkens back to the sound of seventies soul, opens with beautiful piano sounds before Morton starts to croon. One of Morton’s vocal strengths is that he never over sings his material, choosing instead to stay in his natural register while highlighting his musicianship skills.
“Please Don’t Walk Away” is a song about a man begging his love not to leave, and Morton easily sells the song with honest lyrics such as:
“It’s never gone this far
It’s never been this bad
But I won’t let it erase the memories
Of good times; we’ve had”.
The song’s strength is in Morton’s vocals and something that we can all relate to when things go south in a relationship. I can easily see this song featured in a romantic comedy or dramedy set to a scene where our hero reflects on what he did wrong and attempts to get his lady back. “Please Don’t Walk Away” is Morton at his best and may garner the singer another Grammy award.
Final Grade: A
“Please Don’t Walk Away” is available on all streaming platforms.
For their second single, the group presented a ballad entitled “Feels Like The First Time.” Once again, Greene handles the lyrics, while Neville Hodge is responsible for production duties. Greene begins the song with robust energy, proclaiming his love for the lady. Greene’s group members provide stellar work on the background vocals, and the songs eschew nineties R&B without going into crass vulgarity.
The ballad was composed by Michael Masser and lyricist Gerry Goffin, and it was first recorded by Dionne Warwick in 1981. Eight years later, Natalie Cole covered the song, shortening the title. It became the fourth single from her twelfth album, “Good to Be Back.”
Braxton’s vocal talent is perfect on the standards “Christmas Time Is Here,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song.” However, like any good R&B Christmas album, it is the soulful yuletide bops where Braxton truly shines. The album’s first single, “Snowflakes of Love,” is instrumental of Earl Klugh’s “Now We’re One”. Braxton’s lush vocals encapsulate the warmth and joy of romantic love amidst a wintery backdrop.