First Listen: Rena Scott grooves on "Far Away"

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    (September 1, 2021) “You’re So Far Away,” the latest release by Detroit legend Rena Scott, is being released as a 45 on vinyl. And after one listen, many will conclude that’s a decision that makes perfect sense. Scott is one of those industry veterans whose longevity is attributed to her wonderful voice that is equally soul, jazz and pop.

    Performers want her to open for them, sing with them or back them up. And Scott has done all those things.  She’s opened for Motown legends like the Four Tops. She’s worked as a backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin, and she scored a big hit in 1978 with “Take Me, I’m Yours,” her duet with Michael Henderson.

    (September 1, 2021) “You’re So Far Away,” the latest release by Detroit legend Rena Scott, is being released as a 45 on vinyl. And after one listen, many will conclude that’s a decision that makes perfect sense. Scott is one of those industry veterans whose longevity is attributed to her wonderful voice that is equally soul, jazz and pop.

    Performers want her to open for them, sing with them or back them up. And Scott has done all those things.  She’s opened for Motown legends like the Four Tops. She’s worked as a backing vocalist for Aretha Franklin, and she scored a big hit in 1978 with “Take Me, I’m Yours,” her duet with Michael Henderson.

    The success of “Take Me I’m Yours” led Scott to land a record deal with Buddah records and the release her album Come On Inside in 1979. The lead single, “Super Lover,” is a great example of disco that came out at a time when the musical tastes shifted away from disco, and the record stalled on the charts. That’s sad because Scott gave a great vocal performance. She’s continued to release music, originals and covers and she went into her vaults to find “You’re So Far Away.”

    Scott teamed with super producer Nigel Lowis of Disco Soul Gold fame. Lowis worked his magic and Scott recorded fresh vocals, and “You’re So Far Away” sounds like a lush step back into time. Both Scott and Lowis are working in their element here. Lowis has always demonstrated a deep knowledge and respect for the rich orchestrations that typified the music of the mid and late 1970s, and Scott’s vocal instrument packs the kind of power that could never be overwhelmed by the lushness and sophistication of the arrangement.

    The song itself tells the story of a woman who is definitely sweating a long-distance relationship and Scott’s work on the vocals finds that balance between longing with a slice of seductive fun. Check it out here.

    By Howard Dukes

    Rena Scott – “You’re So Far Away”
    (Nigel Lowis Mix)