The Dream has been getting slightly more nostalgic as he gets older: several songs on his Crown EP, out earlier this year, channeled the R&B of the late '70s (especially the sweet-rolling "Fruition"). Today he reached back even further, unveiling an eight-track EP filled with his versions of classic Sam Cooke tunes. These tracks are deeply embedded in the soul canon: "Chain Gang," "You Send Me," "A Change Is Gonna Come," and more.
On Instagram, the singer/songwriter/producer shared the story behind the project. "My mother loved a lot of artist[s] growing up," he wrote, "but the one we shared the most interest in together was Sam Cooke, so tonight I give him back to her. These songs were originally recording during the making of @beyonce 's 4 album in 2010 w my good Friend Pat Thrall. My mother passed on the 23rd day of December in 1992."
Listen below, and get an inside look at the Dream's studio process.