Wilson, Renowned Gap Band Singer Charlie Wilson Discusses His Album, Charlie, Last Name Wilson

Charlie Wilson

Charlie Wilson is considered by many to be one of the great R&B male vocalists of the past three decades. As the lead singer and co-writer for pioneering funk/R&B group, the Gap Band, he has sung on such classic hits as “Burn Rubber (Why You Wanna Hurt

Me),” “Outstanding,” “Early In The Morning,” “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Yearning For Your Love” and “Party Train.” Now with the help of executive producer R. Kelly, Wilson has returned with a new solo album, Charlie, Last Name Wilson on Jive Records. The album’s first single, also titled “Charlie, Last Name Wilson,” has already become a Top 10 R&B hit.

This is Wilson’s third solo album release, and his first since Bridging The Gap in 2001. It is an excellent CD, containing a diversified set of smooth, soulful ballads, funk/rap uptempo tracks, and solid midtempo cuts. Charlie, Last Name Wilson features three songs written & produced by R. Kelly, including the title track single and the beautiful ballad, “No Words.” The album also features guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Twista, Justin Timberlake, and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas.

In a new interview, Wilson talked about the making of this album, and how he collaborated with R. Kelly and other top artists and writer/producers. He explained that his current focus is definitely his solo album and touring as a solo artist. However, he mentioned that he still enjoys working on Gap Band-related projects, and at some point in the future, he will perform and record again with Gap Band members (and his brothers) Robert and Ronnie Wilson.

The foundation for this new album was laid when Wilson got together with R. Kelly, who is a longtime admirer of Wilson & the Gap Band. “From day one, R. Kelly has always proclaimed himself a modern day Charlie Wilson,” said Wilson. “He and I had been talking about collaborating for years, and now it’s finally happened.” Besides writing three songs for the CD, R Kelly introduced Wilson to Jive Records, and served as the album’s executive producer.

Wilson usually co-writes and produces his own albums, but he decided to concentrate on his singing, and let R. Kelly and others handle most of the writing and producing (except for “Cry No More,” which Wilson co-wrote). “I decided to step back and let R. Kelly and the other producers do the work, and they did a great job,” explained Wilson.

“The first song I recorded with R. Kelly (at Kelly’s studio in Chicago) was the title track. I already knew he was talented, but it was then I realized he was a genius,” Wilson said. “We also did the ballad ‘No Words,’ which is my favorite song, because it’s so powerful. Basically, it’s me singing from the women’s perspective. I know some men are going to be mad that I’m saying these things, because now they might have to stop playing basketball long enough to buy their lady some flowers.”

For the new album, Johnson also wrote about what she was going through, which was a period of being single again and experiencing new love and relationships. “Being single changes things. You know how when you get free from somebody you get kind of loose? You wanna party. I was sort of in that quote-un-quote ‘crowd’ for awhile so I began to see and experience a lot of things. I’ve been around my peers more since my divorce. My material has been influenced by that.”

Following his sessions in Chicago with R. Kelly, Wilson returned to Los Angeles (where he lives) and collaborated with longtime friend Snoop Dogg on the uptempo cut, “You Got Nerve.” Wilson and Snoop have recorded together on several projects since 1995. In addition, Wilson hooked up with Justin Timberlake and will.i.am on the laidback, funky track, “Floatin’.” “It was great working with both Justin and will.i.am. Justin is a very talented kid, and he’s also real humble. And Will is like a modern day Sly Stone – he’s on his way to great things.”

Wilson also worked with rap artist Twista on the high-energy funk track, “It’s So Hot.” “Twista came in near the end of the project,” explained Wilson. “We were mastering the album and about to deliver it to Jive, and he came in to do a great rap on ‘It’s So Hot.’”

Another noteworthy song on the album, is Wilson’s excellent remake of the hit ballad by Guy, “Let’s Chill” (written by Teddy Riley & Bernard Belle), which was produced by the Platinum Brothers and Larry “Rock” Campbell. It’s interesting and slightly ironic that Wilson chose to record this song, since many music fans have long thought that Guy (and lead singer Aaron Hall) was highly influenced by the Gap Band’s sound and vocal style. But the song is a perfect match for Wilson’s soulful vocals, and it’s a terrific cover idea for this album.

Now with the album release of Charlie, Last Name Wilson, this veteran artist is looking forward to additional success with his solo career. “I think the new album came out great – it’s one of my finest pieces of work,” he said. “I’m excited that people will be hearing this album, and I hope they feel the same way about it as I do.”