With retro soul techniques and a perfect balance of nostalgia and contemporary soulful artistry, this album is a beautiful work of approachable, honest, and universally appealing future soul. The album features 11 tracks that make up a soulful journey exploring the self, anxiety, love, loss, survival, enlightenment, and trusting the process—truly embodying the title “All I Ever Wonder.”
Start by checking out the album’s opening track, “Plays For Keeps” (sample 1), the second lead single, “Hit Me Like” (sample 2), and track 4, “Get Back” (sample 3).
Influenced by Michael Jackson, Outkast, J Dilla, Lauryn Hill, and D’Angelo, Johnny Burgos’s musical style—shaped by his uncle, world-class percussionist André Martínez—incorporates salsa, Latin jazz. Combined with the production expertise of veteran soul producer and master craftsman Jeremy Page, this album masterfully explores and builds a new world of New Soul R&B, blending the reassuring, classic feel of good old-fashioned soul with a contemporary, modern-vintage soul sensibility. I highly recommend this album to all soul music fans. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)