Sometimes we’re lucky enough to come across songs that are a true vessel for the passion and talent that’s present in the artist who created it. Today, that artist is Jerome Lee. No stranger to the industry, Lee has been recording, performing, writing, teaching, and touring for over four decades. His talents have taken him around the globe – from Amsterdam to Casablanca and many places in between – and he’s worked with a laundry list of other talented musicians including Niki Buzz, Oy Takahashi, Tom Borton, Urban Artillery, TN’T, Jackie Lee Cochran, the King Brothers, Curtis Knight, and Sonny Griffin.
With all of these accomplishments, Lee has set the bar high for himself. But to nobody’s surprise and everyone’s delight, his single First Peace After The Rain delivers tenfold on expectations. This is a heartfelt, beautiful composition that puts Lee’s expert musicianship on full display.
In the turbulent time this last year has proven to be, I think we’re all waiting on the impending calm after the storm that we’re still not quite through. While this track was written in 2019, its message couldn’t be more relatable today. First Peace After The Rain is about savoring the quiet stillness that arrives after a heavy rainstorm, both literally and metaphorically. We must weather the storms in our lives, but peace will always return to us after they’re through. It’s an uplifting and encouraging message for dark days. Lee says it so very concisely in the chorus:
“After the storm, earth medicine made,
Stand in the peace,
The first peace after the rain”
The track itself is beautifully produced and performed. It’s a wonderful blend of pop melodies and soulful instrumentation. Lee’s voice has the perfect mix of clarity and authenticity to carry this heartfelt message, and while there’s a complex mix of instruments – keys, strings, bass, and some pretty intricate percussion – the vocals continue to be the focal point, allowing the message to be the main takeaway.
Also worth mentioning is the bass solo in this track. It’s punchy and has a great energy and shows off Lee’s skills as a player. Bass solos are few and far between in modern music, but we’re thrilled to find such an excellently executed one in this song.
Overall, First Peace After the Rain is a gorgeous piece of music with an important message of strength and enduring. Fans of modern, mellow R&B and soul music will be right at home with this release from Jerome Lee. Take a listen for yourself, and take a moment to self-reflect and know that it is often darkest before the dawn, and tranquility is waiting just beyond the storm clouds.
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BELOW: Listen to First Peace After the Rain and connect with his website and social media platforms. Please support Jerome Lee by visiting him online, and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing his music, or attending a live show! And, as always, thank you for supporting real music!
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