First Listen: All-4-One's Delious has no "Friendship After Love"

(February 18, 2021) For more than a quarter century, music fans around the world have grooved to the intricate, full harmonies of All-4-One. And the voice that has fronted a number of the group's biggest songs is Delious Kennedy, whose rich baritone is often compared to Peabo Bryson or Glenn Jones.

While SoulTrackers have known Delious as one-quarter of a favorite act that still performs and tours regularly, they probably haven't heard him on a solo performance. So that makes it special that Delious has just delivered a tasty, soulful ballad on his own. "Friendship After Love" has the feel of a classic Luther Vandross ballad (a la "If Only For One Night / Creepin'"). The slow churning song tells the relatable story of a man who is mourning the loss of a lover who didn't appreciate the faithfulness and fidelity that he offered. But rather than plead for the romance to continue, he instead calmly tells her that there will be no going back down the road, even after she discovers what she's lost: "One day you'll see / there's never gonna be another one like me / and when that day comes don't even try to find me / I don't believe in friendship after love."

Delious's powerful voice is appropriately restrained on a song that expresses both regret and resolve, and the listener can feel every emotion.

We think SoulTrackers are going to love this one. Check out "Friendship After Love," and welcome Delious back to SoulTracks.

By Chris Rizik

Delious - "Friendship After Love"