Reggie Braxton is The Real Deal!
With heavy Motown roots and a jazzy soul, Reggie Braxton is bringing timeless music back with a “Brax-Tone” twist! Music means the world to Reggie as it runs deep through his veins and the end result is silky smooth. The overall sound is so catchy and sincere making Reggie Braxton an A-List artist all the way! Dive into the man behind the classic music and enjoy ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’ of a lifetime!
Jimmy Rae: I reviewed your album, ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’, back in March and simply loved this record! Honoring the golden R&B sound with a splash of Jazz, ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’offers such a refreshing sound. What inspired you to release this album?
Reggie Braxton: Thank you so much for that review! I loved it! I’ve been doing music for a long time now, so I just felt a strong calling that now is the time to get this album done. If you enjoyed the first release, wait until you hear the remixed re-release project!
Jimmy Rae: With deep roots to Motown and that classic style, I sincerely appreciate the fact that you’re keeping this type of music alive. Do you feel there will be a resurgence of new artists inspired to breathe new life into the Motown sound?
Reggie Braxton: Yes, I believe there will be a resurgence of new artists that will bring a new life into the Motown sound. I say this because every generation of music lovers and music dreamers who want to sing and entertain, whether they live in Detroit or not, at some point they will hear Diana Ross, Martha Reeves, Temptations, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye or Stevie Wonder. Upon hearing their sound and learning of their amazing journeys, they will be inspired to better understand that their God given talent is something for them to contribute as well. It was the same for me. The passing along of the gift of music will never end.
Jimmy Rae: I read that your grandmother was a blues singer and your cousin was Melvin Franklin of The Temptations. How did these individuals help shape you into the person you are today?
Reggie Braxton: It started with my grandmother telling me stories of her performing with her band and sharing pictures as well! She would perform around the house and play her organ. From that influence, I knew early on I wanted to sing and make music.
The fact that my cousin Melvin Franklin was a member of the Temptations was incredulous! The Temptations were and are still considered one of the Best singing groups ever! Realizing this made me think nothing is impossible and dreams can come true.
Some dreams come soon, and some dreams come later. The key is if you love it, you never stop. My grandmother never stopped singing. My cousin Melvin never stopped and neither will I.
Jimmy Rae: R&B and jazz are a big part of your life and your music, so wanted to ask what sparked the initial interest in these genres? Do you remember that exact moment when you said to yourself, I want to be a smooth jazz and R&B musician?
Reggie Braxton: I never said I wanted to be a R&B singer or smooth jazz musician. I just knew I wanted make music and have my music affect others as it affected me! I would play a song I like over and over again because I loved a song so much. It could be an instrumental jazz cut or a sweet song by both male and females in different genres. I just wanted early on to be able to create and be a part of the music scene.
It’s the same today. I enjoy R&B and smooth jazz. But the truth is I love and enjoy a lot of different types of music. Hip-hop, pop, etc. I never want to be put in a box because I enjoy different types of music, which is displayed on my new project Brax-Tone Experience. I will continue to pursue and be led to record different genres of music. What comes out of me, I leave that up to the listeners or critics to label. I just hope they enjoy what I’ve done, and I become one of their favorite artists and they want to play my music over and over again like I did for some of the favorite songs I listened to.
Jimmy Rae: What are some of your favorite artists in the jazz and R&B world and how did these acts help you grow as an artist?
Reggie Braxton: Luther Vandross, Michael Franks, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Dionne Warwick, Sarah Vaughn, Walter and Scottie of the Whispers. Lou Rawls. Chicago. Bob Marley.
Newer school would be Erykah Badu, SZA, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker.
For me, for the artist I love their tonality is the first thing that captures my attention. All the artists I’ve listed, first, I love their tonality. I read in a quote from the great Quincy Jones to study the greats because they’re your teachers. Frank Sinatra was known for his phrasing; Luther’s was so amazing, his tone and perfection of melodies and coloring was like no other. Michael Franks’ style phrasing was very impactful on me. I covered some of his music on my project.
By studying the greats, you develop yours on personal style. The ladies I mentioned are stylists like Billie Holiday, Diana Ross, and Dionne Warwick with a modern flare. They add to their flavors. I understood what Luther Vandroos said about how he studied Dionne Warick and what she got out of a song. She is one of my all-time favorites!
Jimmy Rae: ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’ features timeless covers and original compositions and wanted to ask which songs stand out to you personally and why?
Reggie Braxton:
“Love Guarantee” is very personal to me. It was penned for the most part by my friend J Poww, a really good lyricist who founded the group UNV. He wrote the song about my relationship with my wife based on what I’ve shared with him and he allowed me to add my two cents to bring this song home. It also was the first song I recorded on this album, and it reached #39 on the Mediabase charts.
But really, it’s like asking me which one of your kids you love the most, lol!
“Just Like You” is a standout because this was the first song that I wrote that is on the album. I truly love this song. It’s a romantic song with a catchy smooth beat and a sweet ending. Make sure you check out the video as well as some of my other videos that are featured songs on my album.
“Miss Riddle” is a standout to me because I had a chance to cover the great Boz Scaggs’ song that I loved but that was not one of his biggest hits. But it was a hit with me! Hopefully anyone reading this will check it out and love it as much I do. As with all the songs I cover, I always have to put my twist on the song and the lyrics to make it my own or my interpretation of the story told.
Jimmy Rae: What does ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’ mean to you and how has this record been received thus far by fans/listeners?
Reggie Braxton:
This project means the world to me! I feel so blessed to be able to share my music on all the digital platforms. It is truly a dream come true. I’ve been singing and gigging in and around Detroit for a long time. To have this project completed is a major accomplishment that I’m proud of.
This project has been received very well. “Can I Take you Out Tonight” (an original composition not Luther Vandross’) and “Love Guarantee” peaked at #39, currently “I Pray It’s You” is #31 on Gospel and debuted at #35 on the Jazz Charts. “Miss Riddle” is #35 on the R&B charts and also on the Jazz charts. This is all based on information from the Mediabase charts. I would say it’s been received very well. All these songs have a bullet!
Jimmy Rae: You’re a pianist, singer, songwriter and producer and wonder what each role means to you and how to you approach each aspect? Also, what was the learning process like when it comes to singing, playing piano, writing songs and being a producer?
Reggie Braxton:
Each aspect is very important. They all demand attention. Singing for me is a love affair, learning new material and practicing what you already know. Now that I’m recording more, the piano is how I start the writing portion of some of the songs I write.
Producing though is new to me and I’m a work in process. The key truly is to have the support of a team. I am working with J Poww of UNV fame, who helped arrange the background vocals and co-wrote some of the original music and Grammy Award winning Christopher Bivins aka Buddafly Wolf, producer for Chris Brown, Tank and Kehlani. My project was engineered by Detroit legend, the Grammy Award-winning Jezreel Santos, whose projects include soulful crooners Kem, Gregory Porter and Mali Music.
In fact, I’d like to shout out everyone on my team if I may. My musical village includes drummer, David Brandon; drummer Gayelynn McKinney; Dwight Adams on trumpet; bass player Ralph Armstrong; singer Breana Powe; and my videographer, Derrick Dollah Jones.
There is also a new rendition of Erykah Badu’s “Next Lifetime” on my re-release album – remixed by Badu’s very own musical director, Grammy nominated, ASCAP and Billboard award winning composer/producer, Norman ‘Keys’ Hurt. In fact, Hurt has remixed the entire Brax-Tone Experience project!
Of course, you are always great if you have great musicians in place and working with you, so I am very blessed to have my team.
Jimmy Rae: The Skope Universe would love to hear more about this new Norman “Keys” Hurt remix of “Next Lifetime”! “Next Lifetime” is a featured single on your album and a cover of an Erykah Badu song. What was the inspiration behind this number and what stands out to you as real, game-changing moments in both the original and remix versions?
Reggie Braxton:
Glad you asked! I started working on this idea in 2012. I loved this song. When I would sing the song, I always changed the lyrics to be from a man’s perspective. I was in a committed relationship but had a few females that showed some interest, but as Erykah’s lyric states, ‘I like you too but I’m in a situation’.
The song was real to me then, not now. I want to make this clear, because I’m sure my wife wouldn’t want to hear about me wanting someone even if it was a “Next Lifetime” great story lol.
Game changer for this song came when the song was the number one most requested in the UK. I initially was not allowed to have “Next Lifetime” on my album, it could only be a single. I asked my manager could he revisit this request with Ms. Badu’s people. They requested to receive my entire album for review.
I was excited that I got approval that my version could be placed on my album with one stipulation – that Mr. Norman Keys Hurt had to remix the song. I said to myself this is a no brainer and of course I was honored that a Grammy award winner, not to mention Erykah Badu’s music director, was making this request! I felt this is a real game changer! Then to put icing on the cake, he agreed to remix my entire album!!! When I listened to what he’d done, I felt this sounds as good or better than some of the music that’s out in my own lane.
Jimmy Rae: So, what’s on the horizon for Reggie Braxton and is ‘The Brax-Tone Experience’ here to stay?
Reggie Braxton: Now the marketing aspect comes in. This is the difficult part for an independent artist. I’m hoping that the right person or group gets behind my project and believes it will be successful, but I will always continue to write and perform.
Jimmy Rae: I always end on a positive note with my interviews and so have to ask what advice would you offer young people when looking to be extra creative and successful in music & life? Also, when hit with obstacles what would you say to the younger generation on handling these situations when they arise?
Reggie Braxton: Have faith in God. Have a spiritual connection. Be a student of the craft. Be around people who have similar goals that will encourage you and believe in you. Stay away from negative people no matter who it is. Also, learn to play the piano. If you get a chance to study classical music, give it a try. It will make you better with your music. Take music lessons. Try acting. Learn to meditate. Never give up on your dreams and have fun and love on the way.
Also, thank you Jimmy Rae for a great interview. I enjoyed conversing with you!
