Zacchae’us Paul Asks Her To “Stay”
Atlanta-born multi-instrumentalist, producer, and vocalist Zacchae’us Paul released the new single “STAY,” featuring close friend and collaborator, donSMITH. Produced by Down To Mars, with silky smooth vocals from Paul and Safa, plus titillating trumpet support from Milena Casado, the bona fide R&B heater is baby-making music par excellence. From his forthcoming sophomore album JAZZ MONEY VOL. 2: SWINGIN’ R&B (out October 16 on Candid Records), “STAY” is out now.
“This right here is a classic R&B record featuring one of my closest friends and one of my groomsmen, donSMITH, produced by Malachi Mabson of Down To Mars,”says Zacchae’us Paul.“I wanted a record that reminded people I have range—that I can step into this lane just as naturally as any other. This isn’t me trying R&B. This is part of who I am. Today, people love to put artists into boxes. You’re the jazz guy. You’re the R&B guy. You’re the gospel guy. I’ve never looked at music that way. ”
Paul continues,“Growing up in the church gave me a foundation that allowed me to understand all of these genres because they’re all connected. I couldn’t make authentic jazz without understanding gospel. I couldn’t make authentic R&B without understanding jazz, blues, and the church. They’re all part of the same family tree. I’m an R&B artist, and I’m a jazz artist. The only difference is that I’m presenting this work under the umbrella of jazz because my mission is to re-center jazz in a Black cultural context. I was introduced to jazz through John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, and the avant-garde movement, but I was also raised on Anita Baker, Maze featuring Frankie Beverly, K-Ci & JoJo, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and The O’Jays. Add to that the quartet tradition—the Canton Spirituals and my father’s group, Walt Beasley and the Gospel Explosion—and you can hear how those harmonies shaped what eventually became modern R&B. To me, none of these styles exist in isolation. They’re all connected through the Black musical tradition. This record is proof that I don’t have to choose one lane. I do this.”
“STAY” follows the release of last month’s single, “BETTER MUST COME,” a reimagination of a traditional hymn through the lens of swingin’ R&B, which flawlessly brings together elements of jazz, gospel, soul, and modern production into a single statement. Co-produced by Paul and DJ OOOCHILD, the new single features bars by Happy Qavah, donSMITH, and Dezron Douglas’ bass.
“I knew I wanted a song on this album that centered on God’s love, and I wanted to reinterpret a hymn in a way that felt authentic to my musical language,” shares Paul. “Rather than simply covering the hymn, I wanted to reimagine it through the lens of Swingin’ R&B. I’m especially proud of how this track came together. It captures exactly what I hoped this album would represent: honoring tradition while pushing it forward in my own voice.”
Plenty of artists have attempted the alchemy that Zacchae’us Paul offers with JAZZ MONEY VOL. 2: SWINGIN’ R&B; But few, if any, have pulled it off with the seamlessness, ingenuity, and sheer quality that the emerging star manages.
Diamond-sharp beats complement nimble acoustic jazz drumming. Emcees with effortless flow alternate with jazz soloists spinning long-form improvisations. Excellent jazz rhythm sections thrive on an album that also features producer tags, interludes, and bookends of spoken word. And the lessons in spontaneous creation that guide a classic jazz LP meet the cinematic storytelling that defines so many LPs from hip-hop’s golden age.
“STAY” and “BETTER MUST COME,” along with the previously released pair of singles “LOOK TO THE SKY” and “SHE F*CK WITH THE RACKS,” showcase Paul’s extraordinary skills as a classically trained jazz musician, dedicated rap and R&B producer, plus neo-soul crooner.
A love album at heart, “LOOK TO THE SKY” is a captivating examination of the cycle of life and death. It is furiously swinging postbop shot through with spiritual jazz, featuring the great saxophonist/composer Eric Wyatt, who intended this piece as an homage to his late mother, and lyrics by Paul, who reflected on the baby girl he and his spouse have on the way. With a silky smooth voice destined for R&B stardom, Paul also provided the vocals on “LOOK TO THE SKY,” and tapped the talents of GRAMMY Award-nominated jazz trumpeter Keyon Harrold for some staggering interplay. The result is not a mere fusion, but an entirely new sound, created by Paul: Swingin’ R&B.
Meanwhile, “SHE F*CK WITH THE RACKS,” tells the story of two ride-or-die homegirls. On the other side of the coin, it’s also about the women whose loyalty is pledged to the dollar instead of genuine love. With its expletive-laden hook, soulful harmonies, and spiraling soprano sax by Kebbi Williams, this track is a pure distillation of Paul’s notion of “jazz money” as a spinoff of the “hood rich” concept: the confluence of elegance and ambition with a street-level sensibility.
(CREDIT: ROYCE ISAAC)