When he hits the recording studio, Tedi Robinson, aka Son of Pearl, goes for the gusto – or the chill – with an old school heart wrapping every groove, funk jam, guitar improvisation or bass lines in the palm of his soul. Between his original songs and tributes to icons like Prince and the legacy of New Orleans music, Son of Pearl and his go-to team of FlightBoy Music and D. Trent Kelly keep the energy flowing for SoulTracks, mostly under the State of Tenacity moniker. Through his time with S.T., Son of Pearl demonstrates his affection for R&B/funk zone, yet he sometimes dares to be different in various genres (country, hip-hop i.e.) with romance ruling most of his storylines.
In our latest First Listen installment, “Stay (The Owee Gooey Mix),” Son of Pearl salutes the eighties R&B greats sandwiched by funky breakdowns. While Son of Pearl maintains the foundation on electric bass, D. Trent Kelly lays down an Ernie Isley-like psychedelic rock edged guitar riff. And love fills the air further as the gentleman impresses his lady, name dropping R&B masters (Steve Wonder, Frankie Beverly & Maze). Credit co-producers Son of Pearl and FlightBoy Music for pulling off this fascinating concept, even if “Stay” clocks in at only two minutes and twenty seconds. Check it out!
By Peggy Oliver
Son of Pearl – “Stay”
