As a champion of classy R&B and soul music without the raunchiness or the derogatory themes, Raymond Barton has graced our First Listen pages with "Always Kissing" and "A Beautiful Forever," which earned a 2017 Nomination for the SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Song of the Year. Even before ST has given the Baltimore Maryland based musician/producer/songwriter much deserved props, Barton has quietly labored in the industry for a few decades, including his work with Maysa, Tracy Hamlin and Starpoint.
As a champion of classy R&B and soul music without the raunchiness or the derogatory themes, Raymond Barton has graced our First Listen pages with "Always Kissing" and "A Beautiful Forever," which earned a 2017 Nomination for the SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Song of the Year. Even before ST has given the Baltimore Maryland based musician/producer/songwriter much deserved props, Barton has quietly labored in the industry for a few decades, including his work with Maysa, Tracy Hamlin and Starpoint.
Where Barton really thrives is locking into the grooves, just like his hero Norman Connors, to whom he paid tribute on his last E.P., If Only For Love. And he has a special knack for choosing female vocalists such as Hamlin, Tyra Juliette and Kia Bennett that blend in perfectly with his vision of groove featured on his Soul Imprint Records imprint. Joining Barton for his latest single and First Listen focus, "Together in Love," are Yolanda Parker and Omari Jones - merging old school sixties and seventies with a subtle modern edge. Remaining firm to Barton’s vision of keeping romance alive in a positive light, Parker's silky yet powerful vocals delight in this moment called love while giving a shout out to particular soul music legends: "We could be walking down the Champs-Élysées / We are listening to the Isley Brothers' 'Lay Lady Lay.'" For those who crave the fundamentals of soul and R&B from back in the day, SoulTracks gladly welcomes back Raymond Barton and friends and their salute to urban music’s golden days with “Together In Love.”
By Peggy Oliver