Written by Pat Moran
With percolating Latin hip hop beats and seductive saxophone, Road Island sextet Willet Free spans multiple decades and genres of music with its debut single “I Don’t Fool With Love”
A primary inspiration reveals itself, however, when a silvery wash of percussion unveils soulful and sensual call-and-response vocals: The cooing of dance floor chanteuses Savannah Sheldon and Kelsey Britton and the imploring croon of guitarist Rob Sheldon.
“No is no/And yes is yes/I feel you moving/Inside your dress/Dance with your eyes/ And then with your skin/Maybe then/You will invite me in”
Willet Free is deftly executing a sophisticated update of sexy 1970s R&B for today’s generation, where everyone is – or should be – aware of the rules of consent. The tune’s lush instrumentation and lyrical double (and single) entendres suggest a cross between Teddy Pendergrass’ “Close the Door” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.”
It’s clear that “I Don’t Fool with Love” is no pastiche, however, when the band unleashes its secret weapon, 19-year-old saxophonist Tyler Volucci. With Volucci’s heroic spiraling runs and stratosphere flights that nod to Sonny Rollins, This crack Rhode Island crew proves there’s more on Willet Free’s mind than getting a groove on.
Check it out
Leave a comment