Jessie Wagner: “I Want To Dream” – demure and charming

Jessie Wagner returns, and boy do you need this track in your collection. “I Want To Dream” is the kind of quality R&B that brings a tear to the eye. Composed by P.M.B, the strong, emotional lyrical content of this song is a giveaway that Jessie, or perhaps her some of friends have been through a fair amount of dubious moments with the men in their lives. This is more than evident on this smoldering vocal interpretation. The jaw-dropping classy piano lead, the lyrical content, the production, and sheer power of the vocals, would suggest that “I Want To Dream” could do for Jessie what many ballads have done for our current multi-platinum selling divas.

This track is so pure, so strong and is a very rare jewel these days, considering how over-produced many tracks are. That puts this stripped down soundscape in a position to quite simply be one of the best R&B tracks of the year.

Few can soulfully croon a love song as convincingly as Jessie Wagner, but “I Want To Dream” confirms what many have suspected since the Virginia native lit up the scene at the start of her career: it’s when she’s digging through the emotional depths of a relationship that she dishes up her best work.

Jessie alternates between coasting and scattering through the narrative’s emotional uncertainties, tugging at her voice as if it was strapped to a leash, until it finally breaks free and soars. She is demure and charming, coming across as humble.

Jessie has the same just-below-the-surface sensuality of Aaliyah and the hands-on-her-hips sassiness of Monica, but she keeps it subtly hidden and allows it to gently unfold and engulf you. She sings love songs without a touch of smut and a generous dose of grown woman sensibility.

Exactly what you will hear on “I Want To Dream”. It appears to be the apex of Jessie Wagner’s growth as an artist and as a woman. And as she comes to harness the power of her femininity, this release proves that there can be few things as stunning to listen to as a woman becoming herself.

Much of Jessie Wagner’s life has been played out in the spotlight. Her career blossomed when her live performance caught the attention of Bo Bice, and she began singing and touring with his band, Sugar Money. She got another break after moving to NYC when renowned drummer Omar Hakim had her audition for legendary disco band Chic where she became one of the lead singers.

From then on Jessie’s career went on a roll and performances with A-league music stars became the order of the day: Lenny Kravitz, Duran Duran, Chic, Stevie Van Zandt and Kid Rock were just the iceberg as she went on to perform with artists from all facets of the music industry, including Patti Labelle, Sir Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Sister Sledge, Musiq, the Pointer Sisters, Bebe Winans and Eric Bene among others. Jessie Wagner has also performed live at such prestigious venues as the Montreux Jazz Festival, the legendary Roskilde Rock Festival, and the Grammys.