LISTEN: “I Need a Man (Touchy Feely Remix)” The Lael Project (Lael Summer)

Lael Summer’s original funk anthem, “I Need a Man” gets a high-voltage dance reboot that is bursting with renewed energy that transforms the track into a pulsating club-ready knockout. It’s a celebration not just of Pride Month, but of Lael’s unapologetic voice, sensuality, and charisma.

Originally featured on her album Burden to Bear in 2013, the song was already a standout for its confident delivery and classic groove. In this new version, producer James Dellatacoma (aka Touchy Feely) dials it up with a slick and propulsive beat and synth-driven flourishes that honor Lael’s vocal power without drowning it out. His remix doesn’t rework her but reintroduces her to the world.

There’s an undeniable heat to this track. Where the original strutted, this version glides and pulses, perfectly suited for the late-night dance floor. What makes it stand out, though, isn’t just the rhythm or production polish. It’s Lael herself. Her voice cuts through the mix with clarity and confidence by offering a window into her dynamic artistry.

It’s also a meaningful pivot in The Lael Project’s posthumous releases. This time by spotlighting joy, sexuality, and strength rather than grief. As her mother Marla Mase puts it,

Lael wasn’t defined by her mental illness.

This remix shows exactly that. A young artist bursting with life, power, and fire. Lael Summer may be gone, but this track proves she still knows how to own the room.