Pundits may claim from time to time that old school R&B is no longer in vogue, that real soul music is a thing of the past: thankfully, every once in a while, a new artist emerges that is committed to continuing the time-honored tradition of artists like Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and Anita Baker. Such is the case with Dave Young, the multi-talented singer/songwriter who is the first signing to multiple Grammy-winning superstar Mary J. Blige's Matriarch Records. It's fitting that the Chicago-born, San Diego-raised Young should be Mary's first choice for her label for much like Mary herself, Dave understands that music is a vehicle for soulful storytelling, a way to share everyday real life through song.
Executive-produced by Blige and husband Kendu Isaacs along with Terry Ross, Damon Thompson and Chris Hicks of Innersound/Noontime Elements, Dave Young's self-titled debut album is a solid set that reflects his stated intention: "I wanted to make a record that would express a man's perspective on relationships, to write and record songs that say the things that men may want to say to their ladies but never do!" That he succeeds is evident from tracks like the groove-laden "Love," the infectious jam "Your One" and the sensual "Making Love," a throwback to Teddy Pendergrass classics like "Close The Door" and "Turn Off The Lights." Tunes with guest appearances by 50 Cent ("Drinkin' & Smokin'") and Mary J. ("Your One") are among the standouts on the album which also includes a memorable cover of Stevie Wonder's timeless "Rocket Love."
Dave Young – whose songwriting credits include the Grammy award winning song "Disrespectful" by Chaka Khan and Mary J. Blige (Best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocals in 2007) and tracks on Dave Hollister and LeToya Luckett's discs – penned ten of the songs on his debut CD and notes, "I wanted to tap into what I think women want to hear from men, much in the way soulful guys like Marvin and Donny Hathaway used to do and guys like Ki Ci & Jo Jo and Aaron Hall did back in the day."
Tracks like "Believe In Us" (one of Dave's personal favorites which he says is "an emotional kind of thing in which I'm questioning whether my lady really loves me") and the standout ballad "So Low" ("about a man who thought he'd be cool when a relationship ends but realizes he's not") reflect the kind of straight up life that has long been the foundation for great old school soul music.
With a smile, Dave Young says his desire to venture into music professionally was spurred by singing along with a Karaoke machine, mimicking other artists and making cassette tapes of his own first compositions inspired by the hooks of songs by such renowned writers as Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds. "As I made more and more tapes I started to really fall in love with music, to really get into it. Eventually I woke up and said, 'I can do this. I'm going do this.' It felt like a calling..."
After a couple of false starts, Dave Young began making connections that led to his working with the team of Terry Ross, Damon Thompson and Chris Hicks of Innersound/Noontime Elements and Ashley Fox at Jigsaw Agents. After work with the likes of Dave Hollister and Faith Evans, Dave began writing many of the tracks on (former Destiny's Child singer) LeToya's 2006 album and it was during the same time period that Dave met Blige and Kendu Isaacs.
"I've been very blessed to get to know so many great people," Dave says. "I got the opportunity to present some songs to Mary and I remember she started crying when I played her one song...and the next thing I know two songs I wrote ("Alone" and "No One Will Do") and one I co-wrote ("Baggage") were chosen for Mary's "The Breakthrough" (2005) album. I got to know Mary and it turned out to be the best experience I've had – just having someone of her stature embrace me has been a wonderful thing especially because she was one of the main artists – along with Guy, Jodeci and KiCi & JoJo – that I recall listening to in the '90s..."
In the process of working with Mary, Dave says she and her husband Kendu mentioned "they wanted me to be a part of what they were doing with the new label (Matriarch Records). Mary would listen to some of the demos of my songs and comment on how she heard this 'pain' in my voice and made a comparison with Donny (Hathaway) because that's what she heard in his voice."
Dave Young started zeroing in on the album, much of which was cut – appropriately, given Dave's approach to music - at Marvin Gaye's old recording studio in Hollywood. "My approach was to make a record that would let people get to know me through my music, to bring back the intimacy in music that's been missing. That's what I love about Mary: through her music, she's telling her life and that's what I wanted to do with mine. You know, really invite people in..."
Working with producers including Raphael Saddiq, Bryan Cox and Eric Hudson among others, Dave has created an album that does just that. "Drinkin' & Smokin'" (featuring 50 Cent) is "not about promoting those activities...more describing what men might do when they're trying to get over the end of a relationship"; while "Your One" (featuring Mary J.) is self-explanatory, another example Dave says, "of songs that say the things I think women want to hear from men, but don't."
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