(December 25, 2023) Sugar Rainbow is the epitome of a hard-working artist. If there is a stage, she stands ready to perform. Sugar Rainbow works the cruise ship circuit, which means that she can handle any genre that is thrown her way. One day she might be singing 60s pop and be on a cruise ship with a bunch of Gen Xers who grew up on 90s R&B.
So when super producer Julian Jonah wanted someone to sing the song “If You Wanna Know,” a cut that fused lush, smooth R&B with a dash of funk, Sugar Rainbow was one of the voices that he turned to. I say one of the voices because there are two versions of this song. Dutch Robinson, a veteran vocalist who was lead singer for the Ohio Players in the 1960s, also cut a version.
(December 25, 2023) Sugar Rainbow is the epitome of a hard-working artist. If there is a stage, she stands ready to perform. Sugar Rainbow works the cruise ship circuit, which means that she can handle any genre that is thrown her way. One day she might be singing 60s pop and be on a cruise ship with a bunch of Gen Xers who grew up on 90s R&B.
So when super producer Julian Jonah wanted someone to sing the song “If You Wanna Know,” a cut that fused lush, smooth R&B with a dash of funk, Sugar Rainbow was one of the voices that he turned to. I say one of the voices because there are two versions of this song. Dutch Robinson, a veteran vocalist who was lead singer for the Ohio Players in the 1960s, also cut a version.
Sugar Rainbow’s version is featured in this First Listen. “If You Wanna Know” is an upbeat cut that finds Sugar Rainbow making sure that a young man understands that she – unlike the woman he’s currently with – can meet his needs. The bass line provides the platform for the strings, a tight horn section and Sugar Rainbow’s vocals that are conversational yet urgent.
Sugar Rainbow’s phrasing and range is reminiscent of 80s era singers who were equally adept at singing ballads and up-tempo dance tunes like Phyllis Hyman. Check out Sugar Rainbow on “If You Wanna Know” here.
By Howard Dukes
Julian Jonah feat. Sugar Rainbow
"If You Wanna Know"