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Maybe you’ve got memories of the 1980s. You remember the decade’s sound, the gloss, the warmth, the sophistication, the soul. You recall the harmonic subtlety of the composition and the passion of the performances. You remember the silky textures of the electronic percussion, the soft-focus synthesizers, the smoky saxophone solos. You know the hits by heart — pop sweet enough for kids, but smart enough for grownups.
But even if you’re too young to have been there, it’s a good bet that you know what it was all about. That’s because the sound of the ‘80s has never quite gone away. It’s still the gold standard for pop songwriters and recording artists. On “Memories,” his latest confection, the celebrated UK soul producer Benjamin Race has captured the sound, right down to the last day-glo flourish. For the new single, a follow-up to the underground hit “Take You Home” [20K+ YouTube views], Race got personal guidance from ‘80s rhythm master Jimmy Jam. He’s learned his lessons well.
It’s all here; the gleaming major sevenths, the gentle but propulsive beats, the elastic bass and gleaming chords struck on Oberheim synthesizers, the danceable mid-tempo groove, and, of course, a winning ride from a reed man. Race has also brought in a ringer to bring his nostalgic vision to life — the accomplished R&B singer Donna Odain, who graces this track with a vocal that feels simultaneously contemporary and timeless. Verse by verse and line by line, she draws us into the dream.
Head to BenjaminRace.com or follow @benjaminraceproducer on Facebook or Instagram to keep up with Benjamin Race.
