Vocalist Will Downing, known for his smooth and soulful R&B and jazz compositions, is gearing up for the release of his latest project that will stand out from many of his former LPs.

The singer’s imminent album, Lust Love and Lies (An Audio Novel) tackles the subject of love and its facets and presents them in the form of a story.

“This record had actually been coming together in my mind for five years,” Downing said in a statement. “I just didn’t know how to go about it at first. Then when I first started writing the songs, it started to make sense as a story. I’d never made a record like this before. I had always sort of erred on the side of caution and safety when making records. This was the first time I said, ‘You know what? Let’s just do something completely different.”

The album, which Downing has deemed as “an audio soap opera,” contains vignettes of conversations that aid in the progression of the story. Also detailed in the piece are elements of comedy, tragedy and the subtle shades in between.

Calling on producers Rex Rideout and Chris “Big Dog” Davis, the album features many guest players and vocalists – leading many to label this as Downing’s most straightforward R&B album to date.

“I think people sometime don’t know how to categorize my music,” Downing said in a statement. “It’s soulful, but it’s also slightly jazzy. It’s a blend of so many things. But I think this album solidifies what I’m doing and where I’m going. It locks into a groove and says, ‘Okay, this is an R&B record.’ It’ll be interesting to see how longtime listeners react and whether any new folks will come on board.”

Since the release of his first album in 1988, Downing has been on a steady ascent. In addition to releasing 14 albums in 22 years, the singer was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2000 for his All the Man You Need.

For Lust, Love and Lies, Downing wanted to tell a full story of love, as he was sure its universal message would appeal to nearly everyone. “From being in lust with someone from the moment you see them, to being intrigued by them, to potentially falling in love with them, to whatever comes after that,” Downing said in a statement. “Let’s face it, we’ve all been there at one time or another.”

“Lust, Love and Lies” will be released on Sept. 14 on Peak Records. For more information, visit: www.willdowning.com.