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One on One with Boney James
 James "Boney James" Oppenheim is a long, long way from his humble beginnings as a sideman for Morris Day. He has two Grammy Awards, a Soul Train Music Award and the Billboard #1 debut position for his new CD, Shine, to prove it. In fact, stars like guitar legend George Benson, keyboard wizard George Duke and the inimitable Philip Bailey appear as guests on this newest James offering, along with other star notables such as vocalists Faith Evans, Ann Nesby, Esthero and Dwele. With all this going for him, James comes across as refreshingly warm in our interview. It's safe to say his is a humble spirit with an absence of music biz pretense or protocol. What you get is Boney James the man - the musician. I asked him the meaning of the name Shine and the word spirit was his first offering. He added that as he listened to the finished product in search for a suitable title, he noticed the CD has freshness to it, a new feeling - a glow. Glow is exactly what his sensitive sax textures do. They weave in and out of the track with a tasteful agility that could only come from years of ensemble play where placement is critical. The title track "Shine" bubbles like champagne in a sexy crystal flute, and Esthero is the perfect choice for the featured female vocal. She is sultry and seductive. If the first track did in fact shine, the second track sizzled and shimmered like a mirage on a hundred-plus summer day. George Duke, the guest star on "The Total Experience," need only add his special touch to a track to bring it to life in ways that are inexplicable and are specifically Duke. Any fan of Antonio Carlos Jobim will love the James treatment of "Aquas De Marco". James treats us to his soprano and tenor on this classic. Warning: If you play "Let It Go" in the car and select Repeat you may very well bypass your intended destination. It is the quintessential driving track. Once you arrived at your destination and are safely tucked away, you notice you just managed to beat the rain. Your first reaction is relief. However, when "In The Rain" begins to play you suddenly want to venture back out in it. Rarely has the prospect sounded so inviting as when James and Dwele make the offer.  This is, with all certainty, a quiet storm classic. Dwele seals the deal. When Faith Evans soulfully declares '...gonna git your lovin' on "Gonna Get It" you believe her. She gives you that something good’s cooking in the kitchen vibe. Yum! Skipping ahead to "Love Song," we find a EWF meets Babyface track. It has the Face melodic vibe with the Philip Bailey vocal magic. Add live strings, yes, I said live strings as in real violins, and it's just mo' magic. (Okay, so you knew I would dig the live violins.) After the first two bars of "Hypnotic" you know it's a smooth jazz smash - period! No ifs, ands or buts, as my mother used to say. James and Benson are hotter than a family reunion grill. I don't know why they didn't title this cut "Family Reunion Grill" - maybe the next CD. Let's fast forward once again to one of the most beautiful tracks on the collection - Chuck Mangione's "Soft." James' tenor serenades Nesby, and Ann Nesby is simply angelic. Nesby, a very soulful angel, takes you on a magic carpet ride, floating past the softest, fluffiest clouds you can imagine. And then it's done. Here are twelve scrumptious tracks to add to your favorites list.  I wondered how James viewed the world through his own viewfinder now that he's ten CDs into his solo career and has had the unique opportunity to frequently travel the globe. He noted that music, as the universal language, has the power to bring people together. I, for one, have a feeling Boney James' music will continue to bring people together for a very long time to come. Bravo! Article published in Dallas Weekly |
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