Jay Middleton releases a fiery and rocking, horn filled, ear catching commentary on life changes and new beginnings with his single "Last Time" as the opening track from the somewhat autobiographical EP "Forward".
With incisive and thought-provoking lyrics, Middleton delivers his vocals as someone who has hard-lived the lyrics he sings. The single, currently climbing the Top 40 and Hot AC charts, showcases the many talents of Middleton and friends including a featured solo by current Jefferson Starship guitarist Jude Gold.
"He [Middleton] sounds inspired, brimming with life, and locks into the groove like a master." -The Hollywood Digest The six-song collection is being called by longtime San Francisco Chronicle pop music critic & New York Times best-selling author Joel Selvin "a seamless evocation of timeless musical values...soulful but sophisticated, sturdy songs with instantly accessible melodies that give Middleton a platform from which he can truly soar."
Middleton says, "I wrote the songs during the outbreak of Covid - a time of great strife and transition for all of us. The themes are purposefully hopeful and optimistic in the face of all the negativity and division that surrounded us then - and still surrounds us today. Songs about the struggles, hopes and dreams that we all share and experience trying to move ourselves "Forward" through life".
Many decades of personal friendships and musical connections aligned around the writing and recording of "Forward". The songwriting partnership of Middleton, producer/keyboardist Carl Wheeler (Tony Toni Tone, Frankie Beverly & Maze) and guitarist Vernon Black (Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan) was the initial foundation of the project. Some of the finest musicians that the vibrant SF Bay Area music community has to offer coalesced around Middleton's new songs to produce an album that critics are calling "the deeply considered, wickedly detailed work of mature talents." Listen to "Last Time" on your favorite streaming platform: The EP "Forward" is available on all digital platforms.
About Jay Middleton: Jay Middleton has been entertaining people at thousands of live shows for almost four decades running. Middleton has written songs that have charted in the US Top 40 charts with national airplay. With his bands, he has toured across the US performing at many top clubs & venues and opening for and sharing the stage with many well-known artists. Middleton lives in the SF Bay Area where he enjoys being a husband and proud father of two children and family dog Bucky. Contact Open All Nite Entertainment ***@openallnite.com
