Not to instantly age myself, but I had just entered high school when Shai's a capella love jam, "If I Ever Fall In Love" hit the big time. It was one of those simple, perfect singles that made me jealous of the show choir kids when they got to perform it at assembly.
It's admirable how the guys in Shai didn't try to knock the listener dead with crazy runs right at the beginning, how they built toward that lingering high note at the end. Dude was having some feelings when he sang that note.
Now there will be a new generation flocking to the same song, but this time it's performed by the Arlington-rooted, Grammy-winning a capella stars in Pentatonix, along with special guest Jason Derulo.
Derulo doesn't show quite as much restraint as Shai's lead singer at the beginning, but he more than nails that peak high note. And PTX's Scott Hoying adds in a tasteful second lead. Check out the moody, effective new video for the single.
The difference between the original and the remake? Kevin Olusola's beatboxing adds some muscle to a mostly faithful vocal arrangement. Ain't nothing wrong with this cover. You guys wanna get together and practice it for assembly?
