Reggie Benjamin Turns Back The Clock On Harmony In Blue: The Duets

There’s something wonderfully old-school about Reggie Benjamin’s Harmony In Blue: The Duets. Rather than chasing trends, the eight-track collection turns its attention to songs that have already earned their place in the cultural memory, giving them a fresh setting through a series of unexpected collaborations.

Benjamin’s own warmth provides the record’s connective thread, from the romantic sweep of ‘I Just Wanna Be Your Everything’ to the understated emotion of ‘We’ve Only Just Begun’ with Iwona Benjamin. Elsewhere, Lisa Vanderpump lends a distinctive presence to ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’, while Joe Mantegna brings a theatrical edge to ‘Send In The Clowns’. James Maslow’s contribution to ‘Love Yourself’ adds a brighter, more contemporary touch.

What makes the album work is its sense of occasion. These aren’t presented as attempts to replace the originals, but as affectionate reinterpretations that allow familiar songs to take on new personalities. There’s nostalgia here, certainly, but also a genuine belief in the ability of great songwriting to transcend generations. Harmony In Blue: The Duets ultimately feels less like a trip backwards and more like a reminder that some songs simply refuse to go out of style.