Interview: James Worthy Shares Track-By-Track Review For 'Blu Leisure"

Last year, ‘RnB Junkie Official’ had the opportunity of interviewing Grammy-award winning songwriter, producer, and Billboard charting artist James Worthy. Today, James Worthy is back to discuss the release of his debut EP ‘Blu Leisure,’ with a track-by-track review. Check out our interview with James Worthy below!

”Blu Leisure” your official debut project as an artist released today. How does it feel?  

It feels great! It feels like a long time coming. Of course, it's a debut project, but I've been working on it for at least a year and a half now, so it feels good to finally get it out and see what the response will be. 

What would you say has been the most fulfilling part about creating this project?

Umm. Just actually collaborating with artists that I am a fan of, for one. Number two, just being able to express myself as an R&B act. You know, it's not an easy genre, nor an easy business to be in; I'm just happy that I am able to do it now. 

Here, James Worthy shares a track-by-track review of every song, from their meaning, collaborations, and how they were purposely crafted to create the overall concept for the project. 

1. "Blu"
So with "Blu," that's the intro to the project, and basically, it's just something dark, something melodic, and something uptempo to start off the project. I named it "Blu" because of course the name of the project is called "Blu Leisure," so it's self-entitled. It's just a different style and a different sound. [I'm] playing around with my voice, something to get you interested and sort of in your face to start off the project for you to flow into the rest of it. 

2. "How Many Times (Feat. Tony Terry)"
"How Many Times," that song is probably one of the most interesting, but difficult songs I've done for this project. I say that because on that song it kind of tested my range vocally. Also, I had a chance to work with an R&B legend who is Tony Terry. If anybody knows who Tony Terry is, "With You" which is probably one of the most famous R&B songs. It was just an honor for me to do that and I just wanted to make something straight for R&B. 

3. "Luv & High Levels"

"Luv & High Levels," is basically about you wanting to reach higher levels in life, but it's personal for me because this is another level for me in my chapter and I am going to keep growing. Also, it speaks about different levels in love. The way you think about it is if you're in a relationship, or love in general people perceiving you a certain way, people enjoying what you do in life. That's another form of it, so that's what the song is about. It's more of a mid-tempo, 808, bounce to it. I just wanted to put all of the three together and just kind of make something different. 

4. "Glow"

"Glow," straight R&B, that's probably one of my favorite songs. It's really one of them feel-good laid back R&B songs that get you to think. "Glow," the meaning of it is, I'm with somebody, and I want them to see the glow up. I want them to see, "hey you know we're moving up in life." Whether it be musically, business-wise, socially, personally, [or] whatever that song is about the glow up. 

5. "Call On Me (Feat. Sonna Rele)"

With "Call On Me," shout out to Sonna Rele. If you know who that is, she is an amazing vocalist who's signed to Motown Records. She blessed me with this feature; it's actually a duet. Technically on this record, it's just about if you're feeling lonely or want some company, don't hesitate to call on me. It's one of those feel-good songs too, but a little bit more in tempo, faster. It's just a dope record. 

6. "Oceans (Feat. Kalenna)"

"Oceans," this is probably, I don't want to say my favorite song off the project, but it's definitely up there in the numbers. Shout out to Kalenna from Dirty Money. This song was actually really really easy to make. Ironically, I didn't think it would be easy at all. "Oceans" is just one of those dark, slower, midtempo records, but it's really melodic. Kalenna kind of gave me a different ear of how to approach this because initially, she recorded her vocals before I recorded mine, she kind of gave me the blueprint. With this song, you know whenever you're trying to seek positive energy or positive vibes, for me personally I think about an ocean, or I'm thinking about a sunset. I'm thinking about some tranquility environment, and that's what this song is about. It's about tranquility. 

7. "Move (Feat. Ecstasy)

So, "Move" is the last song on the project, which is actually the single I released last year mid of 2018. The song features Ecstasy from the legendary Whodini, the group. It's an uptempo, Hip-Hop, R&B, [and] Caribbean influence vibe. It's something for clubs, something for the summer. Shout out to Ecstasy he blessed me with his verse which was amazing, honored to have him on the project and that song. It's about you moving, your body moving, you're moving through life. I'm with somebody that I really dig, and we're moving to a whole different level, so that's what this song is about as well. 

What's one thing you would want listeners to walk away with after listening to this project?

I want them to walk away with a different mindset of who James Worthy is as an artist. I want people to understand where I am going musically. Pass that I want people to understand the message that I bring with this project. This is a concept project, it's a storyline, and this is setting up for the next project. I want people to understand what I am talking about. It's some real stuff I am talking about in these songs, and I just want people to realize that R&B is still alive, it's still here, and we're just gonna keep thriving. 

Can you tell our readers where they can find “Blu Leisure” and how they can reach you on social media?

Yes, you can find me on social media @kingjamesworthy. That's on every social media platform. "Blu Leisure" is available on all streaming platform Apple Music, Tidal, Spotify, Google Play, Amazon, [and] anywhere you can get music it will be available.

On behalf of ‘RnB Junkie Official,’ we would like to wish you much success on “Blu Leisure,” and thank you for your time.  

Thank you so much for having me.

An Interview with Tony Terry

Legendary R&B singer Tony Terry known for hits such as “Everlasting Love”, “She’s Fly”, “Forever Yours”, “Lovey Dovey” and one of the most celebrated wedding anthems of our time “With You” is back with a new single called “Take Me” available in all online stores where music is purchased. I caught up with Tony Terry to discuss his new music, the New Jack Swing era, thoughts on R&B and much more!

Terrance: Talk about your new single “Take Me to the River” and the creation behind it.

Tony Terry: My new single is written by a friend of mine and I did write on the song but I didn’t write on it until it was mainly done. For example, when I got the song there was no second verse, so I had to write a second verse. The idea of the song in terms of production was to be super contemporary. The point was to make a record that radio would receive that didn’t sound like I was trying to be someone I’m not. I’m still singing the way I sing. It’s a grown and sexy kinda record. I knew I felt something special about it when I first heard it and so I recorded it but I wasn’t sure if I could deliver it but I actually think we got something really great.

Terrance: Is there an album on the agenda or singles the focus right now?

Tony Terry: There is an album in the can already. The reason I did a song like “Take Me to the River” is because I have an album of what I think are great songs, but you know in this microwave time that we’re in right now I wanted a record to kind of kick the door in to say, I’m back and I think “Take Me” is that record.

Terrance: What are your thoughts on the state of R&B right now?

Tony Terry: Well, I think that music is constantly evolving. I might not like a lot of the stuff that I’m hearing, but you know what? My parents didn’t like a lot of stuff we were listening to (laughs). They didn’t understand what we were listening to and I’m sure their parents before them felt the same way. I have an 11 year old son and some of the music he listens to I just don’t get so it’s constantly evolving and if you want to stay relevant you have to jump on without selling out and there’s a fine line of giving people what they want without selling out.

Terrance: Your debut album Forever Yours was released during the New Jack Swing explosion. What do you remember most about that era?

Tony Terry: What I remember most is that I was part of something that was actually happening. I didn’t realize it until we were all caught up.

Terrance: Which leads us to Bruno Mars sort of reintroducing the sound. Your thoughts?

Tony Terry: I agree. I think that Bruno Mars is not reinventing the wheel. He’s just riding the wave of something that’s already been done before and because he’s one of the few that’s doing that kind of music right now it sounds fresh and new. What it really is just a re-imaging of something that we’re all very familiar with.

Terrance: A lot of your songs revolve around love and relationships. What is it about these topics that makes you gravitate towards them?

Tony Terry: Well, because I love love and I’m trying to get that relationship thang worked out (laughs). I like to sing songs I like and they just happen to be love songs.

Terrance: Everyone have their perception on what success is. How do you define it?

Tony Terry: I’ve been able to take care of my family since High School with music. I think that’s pretty successful. I get to do what I love and make a living at it. That’s success to me.

Terrance: And to wrap it up. Are there any final words you would like to leave with the fans?

Tony Terry: I just appreciate the support and I hope that they are not disappointed with this new music. “Take Me” is the new single and I’m excited about it.

New Music: Tony Terry - Take Me

Legendary R&B singer Tony Terry who burst on the music scene 30 years ago during the New Jack Swing era with hits such as “She’s Fly”, “Lovey Dovey” and signature romantic ballads “”Forever Yours”, “Everlasting Love” and “When I’m With You” returns with his latest single “Take Me” from his upcoming untitled seventh album.

Download “Take Me”

HERE!

Be sure to look out for our exclusive interview with Tony Terry to discuss his new music, New Jack Swing Era, Thoughts on R&B and much more!