Track listing: Coitus, Every Intention Of..., Prodigal Son, If I Were, Take Care, Baby, Castaways, Shoulders

Atlanta-based Khalid Salaam and Fort Worth artist One Son have collaborated on a new record entitled Barry and Smokey. Far from a newly partnered project, the duo has worked together for more than 20 years! From "Southern Breeze" in '03 and "Average Hustler in '06 to their full-length Bobby in '21, they represent a sort of musical 'thunder and lightening' combo: One Son bringing the baritone boom, while Khalid brings in the silky smoothness.

Barry and Smokey hits with a Neo Soul vibe -- the acoustic clarity of Lucy Pearl and Tony! Toni! Toné!, the soul of D'Angelo. This record's chock full of that Rhodes keyboard sound of the 70s, sparse arrangements that feature the two rappers' complementary deliveries. And while I'll stop shy of giving it the same baby-making superpowers of the Barry [White] and Smokey [Robinson], tracks like "Coitus," "Prodigal Love," and "Baby" absolutely set that unmistakable mood and tone.

The duo met over thirty years ago while serving alongside one another in the Army. As you listen to sounds of Barry and Smokey, I picture these two all decked out in the fatigues, doin' the work, talking about one day making music together. My money's on the fact that neither of their would have predicted all that time ago that they'd still be dropping new songs 3 decades later.

"Castaways" might be my fave on the album just 'cause of the track they rap over. Clean-channel electric guitar, their combo of rhyming and singing, the vocal harmonies. You just can't hate on the combo of retro sounds with modern lyrical delivery. The pair deliver the goods both as a duo and individually. Check Barry and Smokey on Spotify, but also give each artist a follow across their socials and streaming platforms: One Son and Khalid Salaam.