Grammy-nominated vocalist Ruben Studdard has returned with his new album, The Way I Remember It, via SoNo Recording Group (SRG/ILS).
The 10-track project includes the previously released tracks “W.I.F.E.” and “Masterpiece.” The latter song, released as the third offering, showcases Studdard’s love for ’70s soul.
Included on the album is the lead single, also the title track, released in May, following Studdard’s deal with SRG/ILS Group.
“It’s just the kind of Luther-style ballad folks have been waiting for from me,” Studdard said at the time.
Studdard puts his all into everything on this set, singing deeply impassioned appreciations to women (“Magic”) and dancefloor grooves (“Eyes Closed”).
Collaborating with award-winning songwriter Belewa Muhammad (Mariah Carey, Jaheim, Fantasia) is part of the magic in making The Way I Remember It one of the purest set of material this year.
“Working with Ruben, I just knew that we needed the right partnership, and with all the buzz that the SRG/ILS Group has been getting on making sure that legacy artists in the R&B space still had a voice, it was only right for us to meet with them and speak about Ruben joining the family,” Muhammad shared previously.
Regarding what he hopes fans will take away from the album, Studdard tells Rated R&B, “First of all, I want my fans to know that I hear them and that I’m definitely not going to take as long in between releasing albums again.”
He adds, “I just wanted people to have a record that felt good. A great mix of old and new school R&B. I hope that they enjoy the music and know that there’s more to come.”
The Way I Remember It is Studdard’s first album of original songs since his 2014 release, Unconditional Love. The latter album debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart.
After that, in 2018, Studdard honored Luther Vandross with a tribute album, Ruben Sings Luther Vandross.
Listen to Ruben Studdard’s new album, The Way I Remember It, below.
