One of the most underrated genius gems in all of soul music is Marvin Gaye’s jazz ballad album, Vulnerable. More then ten years in the making, it is from start to finish a lush, expensive, and utterly sublime venture of layered vocals and pure jazz atmospherics that borrows the best from soul while still staying true to its purist intentions.
Drummer/producer Edwin Briscoe and his gang of merry musicians captures the best of both sides of one of Vulnerable’s best with “I Won’t Cry Anymore” with this delicate opening yielding to a pure soul groove that would have made Leon Ware proud. Singer Erica Nicole applies just the light touch with just enough gospel tinged phrasing to keep it faithful to the material but not strictly by the book. Be on the lookout for this actor/drummer/producer’s future release Edwin Vs. Briscoe. If this is any indication, we’ll be all ears, whoever emerges the winner. It’s all good.
By L. Michael Gipson
Edwin Briscoe feat. Erica Nicole
"I Won't Cry Anymore"