By Bob Makin
originally published: 06/06/2025
The Makin Waves Song of the Week is "Soul on Fire," the latest single and quasi title track from "Soul On Fire (Love Songs For Grown Ups . . . )" by The Beagles with Joy. PHOTO BY NICK ROMANENKO
Next month, The Beagles with Joy will drop “Soul on Fire (Love Songs for Grown Ups . . .),” a follow-up to the 2018 LP, “Bed of Roses.”
Featuring lead singer Joy Okoye, the album’s quasi title track, “Soul On Fire,” is its latest single and the Makin Waves Song of the Week.
As the Makin Waves Song of the Week, “Soul on Fire” also can be heard between 6 and 8 p.m. on June 6 on “Radio Jersey at ThePenguinRocks.com. If you miss it, you can tune in any time in the archives at The Penguin and Mixcloud.
The July 24-bound “Soul On Fire (Love Songs For Grown Ups . . .)” on Stoned Squirrel Records represents a funkier direction for the band.
“It starts off in the groove of passion, strips down to a romantic core in the bridge, then builds back up into an explosive celebration,” said Rob Freeman, the band’s founding guitarist-vocalist.
This new direction was precipitated by the band’s leadership role in The Disco Funk Machine, which has its debut on June 6 headlining Pride On The Plaza at Hinds Plaza in Princeton.
“The Beagles With Joy loved working with a three-piece horn section on this project, and brought them into the studio to work on their originals, including both their ‘Tasting Teardrops’ single and this week's featured release,” said Rob, who not only is a musical partner but also a life partner with Joy.
The genesis of the “Soul On Fire” track was Joy sharing with Rob her dream of launching Soulfire Sanctuary, a multidimensional retreat for trauma-informed healing.
Rob said he immediately responded, "Soulfire sounds like a great name for a funk song. I'm gonna write it!"
He called Joy the next day to sing her the tune, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar.
Eventually, they collaborated on what Rob was hearing in his head: singers trading ad libs and horn players going full Dixieland in a joyful tapestry.
The track also features guitarist John Mazzeo, keyboardist Jay Posipanko, bassist Da Nickster, drummer David Ross, and special guests Olive Joseph on vocals, Ron Klein on alto sax, Mike Giles on baritone horn, and trumpeter Jim Brockman, who also handled the horn arrangements.
“Love Songs for Grown Ups” chart lessons learned over the course of Joy and Rob's relationship.
The LP is gathering momentum with more than 18,000 streams for its singles.
“The album has been in the works a long time with much of the writing and arranging done during COVID in my backyard well before we entered Peter Gregory’s Rock Run Recording to start laying down the tracks,” Rob said.
Other Beagles shows include July 24, Lawrenceville Main Street’s Music in the Park, Weeden Park, Lawrenceville, and an album release concert on July 27 back at Hinds Plaza, Princeton.
For more about The Beagles with Joy, check out their Spotify page.
Bob Makin has produced Makin Waves since 1988. Follow Makin Waves on Facebook and contact Bob at [email protected].
New Jersey Stage is proud to be the home of Bob Makin's Makin Waves column since 2017. His Song of the Week column comes out every Friday. He also writes an Album of the Month and Interview of the Month as well.
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