It’s been almost a decade since Eric Benét released a new album (his 2016 self-titled project), but that’s changing in a matter of weeks. His latest set The Co-Star is due out on Friday, June 6th, and he’s fully in album mode and sharing more details about the highly anticipated collection of duets, including the cover artwork, tracklist and full roster of collaborators.
Though he’s singing with over a dozen women on this LP, Benét is solo dolo on The Co-Star’s front cover. The forever fine crooner is suited in a chocolate pinstriped suit with a black t-shirt and colorful scarf hanging from his neck for a little razzle dazzle. He’s standing next to a female dressmaker form, almost like a fashion designer thinking about creating something fabulous for his next muse.
Eric found many muses to join him on The Co-Star, the evolution of his 2024 Duets EP. That five-song project has grown into a 13-track album. Three songs from Duets find a home on The Co-Star – the singles “Something We Can Make Love To” featuring Tamar Braxton, “So Distracted” with Chanté Moore and “Fly Away” alongside Corinne Bailey Rae. The songs “Right Time” that featured Ledisi and “Work It Out” with LaTocha aren’t included on the album, but Benét incorporates many more talented women.
The tracklist flaunts a long list of ladies who stepped up to Eric’s mic. He invited his neo-soul contemporaries, like India.Arie, Goapele and Melanie Fiona, and a few of the new R&B girlies, such as Ari Lennox and Alex Isley. Up-and-coming singer Autumn Paige, who’s signed to his label JBR Creative Group, will sing on a track with Jordin Sparks and EB. The Voice contestant, musician and Prince protégée Judith Hill is in the lineup, as well as the Italian trio SalDoce and pop singer Pia Toscano. Rounding the roster out is Keri Hilson, who joins Eric on his current single “Can’t Wait,” a bonafide bop that has found a spot on our spring fling playlists.
We expect to have many more additions to our playlists when Eric Benét’s The Co-Star drops in June. You can peruse the full tracklist below, and if you’re in the DMV area during his release weekend, help Eric celebrate his new album and enjoy a performance to remember at the 32nd Annual Capital Jazz Fest in Columbia, Maryland on Sunday, June 8th.
Eric Benét The Co-Star tracklist:
1. Gaslight feat. Ari Lennox
2. Remember Love feat. Alex Isley
3. Can’t Wait feat. Keri Hilson
4. Must Be Love feat. India.Arie
5. Fly Away feat. Corinne Bailey Rae
6. Something We Can Make Love To feat. Tamar Braxton
7. Southern Pride feat. Judith Hill
8. More Of The Same feat. Goapele
9. Me & Mine feat. Melanie Fiona
10. Change feat. Jordin Sparks & Autumn Paige
11. So Distracted feat. Chanté Moore
12. Too Soon feat. SalDoce
13. Eres Mi Vida feat. Pia Toscano
