RIP James Ingram, A True Gentleman

One of my favourite smooth soul artists, James Ingram has died this week at the age of 66.  He had been battling a form of brain cancer for some time. James wasn’t really a house-hold name in the UK but, along with the likes of George Benson and Luther Vandross was unarguably one of the pioneers of 80’s RnB.

Born in Ohio in 1952, Ingram later moved to Los Angeles and began his career with the band Revelation Funk. He was then plucked out by the great Quincy Jones, who made things really start to happen by having James sing on his 1981, ‘The Dude’ album.
    
James’ own ‘Its Your Night’ album followed in 1983. An album that takes me back to the happy pre mortgage and kids days of the mid 80’s with such classics as ‘Yah Mo B There’; ‘Whatever We Imagine’ and Try Your Love Again. All three tracks I particularly remember fondly, they remind me of how great the 80’s were for this type of music - I was in my late teens/early 20s and the sort of jazz-funk and soul that we had then was pretty quality stuff. My spirits always lift to hear those old songs. The years just melt away. This is smooth summer music with a capital ‘S’. If you like real class in your RnB music then buy this and cruise along, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

James Ingram became the go-to man for duets, doing two popular ones with Patti Austin, and winning his second Grammy with former Doobie Brothers frontman Michael McDonald for ‘Yah Mo B There’ in 1985. In 1987, he teamed up with Linda Ronstadt for ‘Somewhere Out There’ from the film An American Tail and scored a number-two hit. He’s also worked with other music notables like Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Ray Charles.

Gifted Songwriter
Ingram was also a gifted songwriter, ‘Just Once’ was his original composition that first brought him to the attention of Quincy Jones. He also co-wrote ‘P.Y.T (Pretty Young Thing)’ for Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. As a writer, James Ingram was twice nominated for best original song at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe Awards: in 1994, for ‘The Day I Fall in Love’ from the film, Beethoven’s 2nd and in 1995, for ‘Look What Love Has Done’ from Junior.

His songs say and mean so much in regards to relationships. They called Barry White the master of romance, I’m sure if they had waited a few years before bestowing that title, James Ingram would have been in the running for it! His music defines a generation and his influence has made a great impression on all who followed.

James Ingram was a vastly underrated performer! Just You-Tube him singing "Just Once" LIVE in Korea, 5 years ago, and you'll appreciate how fantastic this guy was. Now we have a bunch of untalented kids that can't sing for a toffee - even with the help of auto-tune.

In Memoriam
I loved James Ingram's voice and his positive, pro-family stance. (Can you believe he had a 40 plus year marriage?). He seemed like a true gentleman who sang songs we could all enjoy.

May you Rest In Peace James, I know I really enjoyed listening to your music and always got a sense that you were a good man, We need more people like you, not less, you are definitely a major loss to soul music.