The Lower East Side has always been a melting pot of grit and groove, and few artists embody that spirit quite like Ray Lao. A veteran with over 30 years in the industry, Ray is a true musical polymath—shifting seamlessly between his roles as a singer, songwriter, rapper, and trumpeter. While he’s spent decades behind the scenes crafting hits for reggaeton stars, 2026 marks a bold return to his foundations.
His latest offering is a daring, high-energy remake of the Sammy Davis Jr. classic, ‘The Candy Man’. But don’t expect a standard lounge cover; Ray has stripped the track to its studs and rebuilt it with a modern, rhythmic pulse.
Clocking in at just under two minutes, the track is a masterclass in brevity and impact. Ray leans heavily into his jazz roots—a skill honed as a young student of the legendary Marian White Riley. However, he pushes the composition forward by blending that classic trumpet flair with a contemporary twist.
The arrangement is lean and addictive. It swaps out the orchestral whimsy of the original for rousing, stepped percussion and a lingering trumpet melody that feels both nostalgic and "new age." The vocal hook is delivered with a smooth, ensnaring simplicity that ensures the groove remains the focal point.
The inspiration for the cover came during a burst of nocturnal creativity. Speaking on the track's origins via his Bandcamp page, Ray shared, “I thought of this track late night and I started writing it ..... enjoy ‘The Candyman’ with a twist of Ray Lao”.
This release acts as a charming calling card for what is shaping up to be a massive comeback. With a string of live performances already being plotted across 2026 and 2027, Ray is finally taking his New York-bred sound to a global audience. By honouring his past while embracing the sounds of the present, he’s proved that ‘The Candy Man’ still has plenty of magic left in the jar.
Satisfy your musical sweet tooth by streaming ‘The Candy Man’ today, and for more, be sure to follow Ray Lao’s journey on Instagram.
