Rudy Love & The Encore aren't simply releasing a new single but sparking a revolution. With "Burnin'," the band ignites a wick for "11," the latest album due for exclusive vinyl release on June 11th. This is not your standard rollout. Through their "Buy Before You Stream" campaign, fans will have the music on hand before it hits digital platforms on July 11th. It's one of those lovely little personal, tactile connections that's becoming increasingly rare in a streaming-focused, screen-focused world.
"Burnin'" is a slow-burning statement of the band's control over modern soul. It is urgent and carefully calibrated, blending balmy R&B hues, mesmeric funk beats, and candid, lived-in storytelling. You feel this from the music with roots, intention, and a heartbeat. At the helm is frontman Rudy Love Jr., scion of a storied musical legacy. With an aching and soaring voice, he channels generations of soul history, notably his father, Rudy Love Sr., a criminally underrated soul legend whose fingerprints have touched everything from Jay-Z records to Eric Clapton's guitar work. That legacy is a heavy burden, but "11" and its lead single are not derivative. "Burnin'" plays like a reclamation.
The rest of The Encore is equally crucial. Marrque Nunley's drums fall into place like heartbeats, and Rachelle Love's percussion gives a spiritual glimmer. Bassist Sherdeill Breathett locks the groove down, and Willy Simms's guitar parts smolder in all the right spots. Mariel Jacoda's harmonies soar and fit perfectly with Love Jr.'s vocals, creating a lush, full, timeless, and new sound. In a time when the soul is often exchanged for streams, Rudy Love & The Encore have ignited a fire that shall not die out. "Burnin'" signals that real music is alive and kicking, and it's here to heat the summer.
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