‘Golden Lady’ is one of Stevie Wonder’s classiest songs (originally from 1973’s ‘Innervisions’, of course). Lovers of the song will be delighted to know that it’s been resurrected by Brooklyn born sax man and all round muso, RAKIEM WALKER.

Rakiem started playing saxophone at age 14 and has studied under people like Max Roach, Donald Byrd, and Milt Hinton. His CV includes stints with bands Bluesyde, Soul 4 Real, and hip-hop outfit The Spooks. Mr. W also featured on several Wu-Tang Clan recordings and has worked on TV and movie themes as well as leading the house bands in many of NY’s best night spots.

Right now he’s fronting THE RAKIEM WALKER PROJECT with an album due very, very soon. To signal the release he’s just released the first single – his aforementioned, epic (8 minute plus) version of ‘Golden Lady’… which is served up as a meandering, jazzy ramble with convincing vocals from Gloria Ryann. The putative B side is a tight R&B shuffle, ‘The Good Life’ … Ms Ryann at the mic again.

THE RAKIEM WALKER PROJECT’ Golden Lady’/ ‘The Good Life’… out now