John Oates Revisits R&B & Pop Grooves On New Self-Titled LP Due In August
John Oates. Photo: Jason Lee Denton
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates will release a brand new self-titled solo album on Aug. 29 featuring some special guests.
Reminiscent of the classic, groove-oriented R&B and pop he produced in the ’70s and ’80s, Oates was inspired in part by a new generation of talents that have caught his ear, including the NYC 8-piece soul pop band Lawrence, and soul singer-songwriter Devon Gilfillian. After hearing Lawrence’s music, Oates was moved to write the first single from the project, “Enough Is Enough,” and asked them to guest on it. Gilfillian collaborated with Oates on the record, co-writing “Real Thing” and co-writing and singing on “Mending.”
Other album highlights include the previously released “Pushin’ A Rock,” with Oates empowering us to “roll with it” when things get rough,“Dreaming Of Brazil” (featuring Wendy Moten on vocals) which was inspired by his love of Bossa Nova and Carlos Jobim, and “Bajo La Luz De La Luna,” a song he penned for Gringa, a feature film that takes place in Mexico.
Oates memorialized the collective experience of the pandemic on “Disconnected,” and imagines how it would feel to be completely alone on “World’s Gone Wrong,” a moving track that reminds us to be grateful for our loved ones. The album closes with Oates’ take on “Walking In Memphis,” as well as a remixed bonus track of the song by American electronic music producer Grabbitz.
Oates put together a new band to take these new songs on the road and will play a a special kick-off show at home in Nashville at The Analog at Hutton Hotel on June 29, with other dates set for the Troubadour (Aug. 27), The Rockaways in NYC (Aug. 24), Summerfest (July 4) and more.
Oates Track List:
1. “Enough Is Enough” (feat. Lawrence)
2. “Real Thing Going On”
3. “Mending” (feat. Devon Gilfillian)
4. “A Ways Away”
5. “Let Me Be the One”
6. “World Gone Wrong”
7. “Pushin’ a Rock”
8. “Disconnected”
9. “Get Your Smile On”
10. “Dreaming About Brazil”
11. “Bajo la Luz de la Luna”
12. “Walking In Memphis”
13. “Walking In Memphis” (Grabbitz Remix)
