First Listen: EWF's Philip Bailey returns gloriously with "Billy Jack"

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    Thanks to our friends at Fusicology for giving us the heads up that legendary Earth Wind & Fire falsetto lead Philip Bailey is preparing a new solo album, Love Will Find A Way, due on Verve Records on June 21.

    In advance of the album, the inimitable Mr. Bailey has released a cover of a classic Curtis Mayfield song, “Billy Jack” – definitely not from the 70s movie of the same name. The single is co-produced by Robert Glasper, and has elements of 70s R&B, but a much fuller sound than the sparsely arranged Mayfield original. With horns, guitars and a wall of sound feel, the single is all that.

    Thanks to our friends at Fusicology for giving us the heads up that legendary Earth Wind & Fire falsetto lead Philip Bailey is preparing a new solo album, Love Will Find A Way, due on Verve Records on June 21.

    In advance of the album, the inimitable Mr. Bailey has released a cover of a classic Curtis Mayfield song, “Billy Jack” – definitely not from the 70s movie of the same name. The single is co-produced by Robert Glasper, and has elements of 70s R&B, but a much fuller sound than the sparsely arranged Mayfield original. With horns, guitars and a wall of sound feel, the single is all that.

    “Billy Jack” leads off a major label comeback for Bailey, who scored on the R&B, pop and Gospel charts during the 80s and 90s with previous albums, but who has been mostly heard via EWF performances over the past decade. And it features a bevy of jazz greats, including Chick Corea, Christian McBride, Steve Gadd, Kamasi Washington, Kendrick Scott and many more.

    We’re proud to present “Billy Jack” as our newest SoulTracks First Listen. Check it out below and welcome back the great Philip Bailey!

    Philip Bailey – “Billy Jack”