"Women have always fascinated me. This album is a chance for me to express that fascination, intimately, with the whole world...one song at a time," confesses the artist about his newly released CD that celebrates the feminine spirit. The taunting collection, his third solo release to date, is not short on songs or musicality and offers 15 brand new original works each inspired by a specific woman or female in the artist’s life.
For the project. Wil has again enlisted the talents of 5-time Grammy-nominated engineer Ryan West (Beyonce, John Legend), and has collaborated with several progressive recording artists including Jawaan “Smoke E.” Peacock from Def Jam’s PLAYA and vocalists Tonyo, Laura Key, Glenjamin Bishop and Maritri Garrett.
Both “Beautiful,” the album’s first single and “Fight Thru,” a duet performed with long-time writing partner Betsy Ruckard are memorable tracks and were recently featured in a live performance by Key opening for legendary singer El Debarge at the Key Club in Hollywood. Key’s music, like Debarge, uses a lot of real instruments such as guitar, piano and live drums, and goes against the grain of today’s drum-machine-driven radio R&B music. Key’s approach to melody and harmony also belies his penchant for vintage artists such as Stevie Wonder and Prince, but maintains an originality and uniqueness that is all his own.
Other stand-out tracks include “Butterfly,” a song about an exceptionally free and creative little girl which is written in a jazzy, triple meter. It was co-produced by Garey Kennebrew (Taja Seville, War) and recorded on a real Steinway grand piano in Harlem, NY –a dream come true recording session for the artist who also displays a great respect for his mother in the tune “Love Like Mama” later on the CD.
Stylistically, Key is all over the map on this project-writing complex chord changes over neo-soul grooves on one song and then delivering a guitar-driven latin or bluesy tune immediately after. However, the writing and vocal performances are solid from start to finish and the musical arrangements glue it all together nicely by utilizing the considerable instrumental talents of Key and several others including Will Artope (Stevie Wonder), Tohbias Juniel (Ron Miles, Bop Skizzum) and bassists Bijoux Barbosa and Jayme Silverstein.
All in all, But A Woman is, like its provocative cover art, nakedly honest and poetic at the same time. -a highly recommended listen for anyone who enjoys a sexy-soulful voice, great writing and vicious grooves.