Tuesday, 17 November 2020

Keedron Bryant - The Best Time Of Year


38 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!

Stream-buy The Best Time Of Year here (external link)

When I was Keedron Bryant's age (13), Debbie Gibson sat a-top the US album charts with Electric Youth; an album whose title track urged the grown ups of this world to listen to those in their formative years as their message, energy and ideas would be the salvation of tomorrow. It is a message that has stuck with me all these years and I'm always inspired and motivated by the crusaders for justice and equality that make their voices heard. One such individual is, of course, Keedron who used his soulful voice to craft his debut EP, I Just Wanna Live - promoting social justice for Black Lives Matter. He's back with a new seasonal EP of Christmas classics (and one new song). The Best Time of Year taps into the growing sense of anticipation that people will make the most of Christmas this year and cling to hope that 2021 will be a brighter tomorrow...
  • Give Love On Christmas Day ~ the EP opens with Keedron taking on the Jackson 5 classic (with help from Undecided Future). The lyrics may be 50 years old this year, but they are as timely and encouraging as ever. Keedron sings with a sweet sincerity and those sumptuous harmonies from Undecided Future help send the song soaring. They make the listener feel like it is the most wonderful time of the year rather than just telling them so...
  • Let It Snow  ~ I've always felt the BoyzIIMen original (from their Christmas Interpretations album) was grossly underrated; luckily it gets another chance to shine thanks to Keedron's duet with his sister (Aiyanna). With icy cool finger click grooves and delicate chimes, both siblings give heartfelt melisma, combining their voices to stunning effect. The production by DemJointz is spot on, making this a contemporary winter vibe. 
  • Wonderful Christmastime ~ Keedron is flying through the decades. 40 years old this year is Wonderful Christmastime, the Paul McCartney standard that (in my native UK at least) still charts year after year. The playful keyboard riffs of the original are still omni-present but the shimmering groove is pure 2020 r&b magic. Keedron sings with an enticing joy that makes this the most musical invitation to Winter formal you could possibly get. 
  • This Year ~ the EP closes with a brand new composition, a sparkling, hopeful ode inviting you and your people to embrace the possibility of tomorrow. Dramatic musical moments and convivial sing-along chants make this potentially the best teen bop since The Party invited us all on a Summer Vacation in 1990. The production is so layered that you need multiple listens to appreciate the intricacy. Ultimately it is a mood boost you can play any time you need your spirits lifted...

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