Home sweet home. Using his lyrically expressive horn to pay homage to his hometown, R&B-jazz saxophonist Shawn Raifordteamed up with Grammy-winning producer Derek “DOA” Allen (Lionel Richie, Janet Jackson, Tyrese) to create a musical love letter to the Bay Area city located thirty miles north of San Francisco. Written by Raiford, Allen, Ashley Jemison and Eddie Mininfield (Prince, Sheila E., Aretha Franklin), “Vallejo” is the third single released from Raiford’s forthcoming sophomore album, “The Next Step,” which is slated to drop early next year with Allen manning the producer’s console.
The yearlong build up to “The Next Step” began last January when Raiford released the sensual single “Forever.” Momentum continued to grow in May with the release of his version of the four-time Grammy-winning hit, “Leave The Door Open.” But at every show he’s played this year, during every interview he’s given, and over and over again on his social media, Raiford has talked about “Vallejo,” and just how special this song is to him.
“I love going back to Vallejo just to look and see how it’s changed, but one thing never changes. It’s the city I call home and will always love. In an everchanging world, Vallejo is the city I hope will always love me the way that I love it.”