Released last week, this second EP in the Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Trilogy finds Will Downing crafting even more of his brand of “Sophisticated Soul” to this listener’s delight.

With a supporting cast that features the playing and production talents of Chris “Big Dog” Davis( Keyboards/Production – One Step Closer/Sexy/The Blessing), Ron Jenkins (Bass- One Step Closer/Like Last Night), Audrey Wheeler Downing(BG Vocals – One Step Closer/Sexy/The Blessing), Dwayne “Smitty” Smith (Bass – Sexy), Randy Bowland (Guitar – Sexy/The Blessing/Like Last Night), Aja Downing (BG Vocals- Sexy), Herman “Peanut” Johnson (Drums – The Blessing), Lajuan Carter-Dent (BG Vocals – The Blessing), Mike Logan II (Drums – Like Last Night), Mike Logan (Keyboards – Like Last Night), Carol Riddick (BG Vocals – Like Last Night) the project clearly falls into the category of well-crafted music, amply crafted by expert musicians.

Please take a minute to check out these tracks from the project which is an independent release from Will, and then head on over here to purchase your copy today.

“Like Last Night”

“The Blessing”

From the press release…

How does an artist who rose to prominence “yesterday” stay relevant “today” or for that matter “tomorrow”? It’s been said that creativity keeps long-term relationships fresh, interesting and exciting. Recording artist Will Downing obviously believes in applying that same principle to the relationship he’s enjoyed over the years with his many loyal fans. Ever evolving and unafraid to push the sonic envelope closer to the edge, Downing follows up his 2010 release Lust, Love and Lies “audio novel” concept with an innovative “musical trilogy” entitled Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. (more…)

Jessie Boykins III is a self-described “musical explorer”. Perhaps that’s why Way of a Wayfarer is hard to define, label or put into box. One thing is definite; it is different than what’s on the radio right now and listeners will dig it or… not.

For reference sake, if the music on this EP could be defined, then most of the tracks have a new age, vibe to them. He experiments with sound effects and irregular beats. One can only imagine the fun Boykins had creating this–throwing everything he could think of into the production pot and seeing what came out. “I Can’t Stay” has a pulsating beat mixed with a whole lot of other sounds, including the sound of an airplane taking off. The addition of a little more bass on a remix could make it a great dance or house music track. On “Light to Dark” the beat scatters and there is a continuous note running throughout the song that listeners will find either distracting or innovative and cool.

However, he does he flip the script on a few tracks. He strips down the effects in the music and goes acoustic on “When Your Ready” and “Zoner” .

How Way of a Wayfarer is received or interpreted depends on who the listener is. But there is nothing generic here. Jesse Boykins III won’t get accused of blending in with all the rest. He drives in his own lane and it’s refreshing to see an artist who isn’t afraid to be… artistic.

Way Of A Wayfarer by Jesse Boykins III

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DJKKC