Music review: Javier Colon – 鈥楪ravity’
After being voted the winner of the first season of NBC鈥檚 鈥淭he Voice鈥� in 2011, highlighted by a memorable final performance alongside Stevie Nicks on Fleetwood Mac鈥檚 鈥淟andslide,鈥� instant success seemed destined for Javier Colon.
For the talented singer-songwriter, who was first invited to join the Derek Trucks Band tour during 2000 and 2003 and appeared on the band鈥檚 2002 鈥淛oyful Noise鈥� album, stardom finally appears to be gently knocking on the 38-year-old artist鈥檚 door.
Nearly 13 years after his self-titled debut release, Colon delivers passionate arrangements detailing the ups and downs of relationships and the emotional struggles of keeping love fresh and strong.
鈥淔eels like we鈥檝e been on this road forever/Staring at your picture trying to keep it together/Nothing I鈥檓 doing is making it better/And I know it鈥檚 gotta be now or never,鈥� sings Colon on the opening track 鈥淐lose to You.鈥�
鈥淐lear the Air鈥� follows as Colon describes the need to have a full commitment from both partners in order to stay strong as he wonders just how things fell apart so quickly. All couples hit some rocky patches and Colon is willing to share his personal experiences. 鈥淢y Perspective鈥� is about Colon鈥檚 hectic schedule and the amount of time it takes him away from home and his family.
For 鈥淕ravity,鈥� Colon co-wrote a majority of the tracks possessing a smooth blending of R&B, funk, pop and acoustic soul. For much of the album, Colon sounds like a curious combination of James Taylor and Babyface with his simplistic melodies and slick vocal delivery. His tender vocals serve as the perfect overlay to a sensitive set of arrangements full of emotion and intimacy.
The title track speaks to the hurt and regret that follows when a relationship is damaged by the actions of another as Colon sorrowfully sings, 鈥淣ever thought I鈥檇 be the enemy/You were everything I鈥檇 ever hoped for.鈥�
For me, 鈥淔or a Reason鈥� is the album鈥檚 standout song with the addition of infectious horns and stirring vocals by Nikki Leonti. Leonti鈥檚 voice meshes seamlessly with Colon鈥檚 charismatic style to produce a memorable performance filled with electricity and charm on a number focused on the memories of a past love and wondering out loud what would have happened if the relationship had never ended.
鈥淲alking Blind鈥� strays slightly from the relationship theme to deliver a strong message about accepting others for what is on the inside rather than based on looks and appearance.
Colon closes the album with a soulful cover of Leonard Cohen鈥檚 鈥淗allelujah.鈥�
Can I hear an Amen?
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard .com.