Charlie Alpha Papa seems like a nice guy. He tries to treat his woman nice, taking her to exotic Bora Bora. But something happened and he’s harnessed that frustration of trying to get back to that spot to rekindle their love in his new song “Bora Bora” (Capish Music). From his new album Part of Me, Cap (as he likes to be called), triggers an emotional surge in his smooth-sailing sonic experience.
Proving he has the skills to compose a song that dips into several genres like R&B, pop and even world music, “Bora Bora” has a murky waters music bed. It reminded me a little of the 98 Degrees classic “Give Me Just One Night (Una Noche)” but missing the four-part harmonies. Cap is sly and compassionate all-at-once. His chorus take me back to Bora Bora is pretty infectious. Like the deep waters, it anchors itself in the listener’s mind. Cap’s voice is like a soap opera star serenading his love. He’s a bit shy, cheeky. Prideful. He’s romantic and wants to treat his woman with passionate outings and the best-of-the-best. The backdrop of Bora Bora, I mean, who wouldn’t want to go back there. Even if it weren’t the literal location, Cap’s describing a place or a state-of-mind where when they were together, everything went their way. Let’s go back and feel love again…just me and my baby he sings.
Tingling and hitting all the sensory spots, “Bora Bora” has the makings of making George Michael blush. Not really, this is still a PG-13 song, and Cap doesn’t cuss (that I could hear). What he does use are new house beats that climb the walls. Popping all over, and brewing together some conga beats and wetness. In this way, Cap reminds me more of Prince, changing the mood of the song and twisting and turning the listener. Cap’s navigation around the studio is evident – he is the owner of a label and his own recording studio after all. He’s also an entrepreneur and actor. Maybe I’m dreaming…let’s go back to Bora Bora, he sings, wistfully, giving the listener yet another vision of sleepless nights and human touch. Aching for that embrace once again, as a listener I couldn’t help but invest myself into this couple. Poetry in motion – Cap’s words are just letters to his beloved that as listeners we are privy to his deep desires. The threading within the electric music bed is proof that he’s lingering in these thoughts just as much as we are embracing the tones.
What gives “Bora Bora” such high regard is the intermingling of Cap’s emotional delivery and the kaleidoscope of tones. He took me to a far off place where I could pretend and direct the images in my head. Cap, who still lives in his hometown, Albuquerque, New Mexico, joined the military after high school, and moved to California for a short run, takes a colorful life-lived and paints “Bora Bora” in the same way the Native American jewelers create dazzling turquoise pieces – with honor and devotion of expressionism. Cap’s unrelenting love solders this gem of a song.
Troy Johnston
The music of CHARLIE APLHA PAPA has been heard all over the world in partnership with the radio plugging services offered by Musik and Film Radio Promotions Division. Learn more https://musikandfilm.com