(Reprinted from the July 2023 issue of New York City Jazz Record)
The appeal of José James’ music derives from his naturally resonant voice, so finely suited for soulful expressiveness. On his latest record, On & On: José James Sings Badu, released this past January via his Rainbow Blonde label, the award-winning jazz singer uses this refined instrument to re-contextualize seven titles from singer/songwriter Erykah Badu’s impressive oeuvre. This isn’t a tribute album, however. Badu, with her groundbreaking visions, moved American music several paces along, and now it’s James’ turn to do the same.
The album’s title track harkens back to Badu’s 1997 debut album Baduizm (Kedar Records/Universal Records). James’ take—a modern syncretic understanding of Badu’s neo-soul expression—prioritizes crisp vocals and an incisive pulse. He continues this same confident reassembly of the familiar on Badu’s later material: from Mama’s Gun (Motown/Puppy Love) he pulls “Didn’t Cha Know”, his close reading of the melody resting comfortably atop festooning synth lines, and “Bag Lady”, with its relaxed vocal phrasing and smooth R&B harmonies. Most intriguingly, on “Green Eyes”, a jazz ballad opening serves as a teasing foil for James’ own neo-soul sound.
James uses this same stylistic switcheroo on “Out My Mind, Just In Time”, from New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (Universal Motown), settling into a traditional standard sound before flipping into a seductive R&B interlude. On “Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long”, from the same album, however, he hews closer to the original, if laying back into its characteristic groove a little more than Badu does. And “The Healer”, from New Amerykah Part One (4th World War), takes on a different character in James’ deep-toned voice—the lyrics here impart adult imperative rather than youthful wisdom. To hear how he does it, catch James at Blue Note Jul. 20th-23rd.
In May, LA-based singer Gretchen Parlato and West African singer/guitarist Lionel Loueke released Lean In (Edition), a duo recording—their first—that derives from 20 years of collaboration. The closeness of their association informs each track, especially Loueke’s “Akwe”, with its precise unison vocals and joyous African rhythms; Parlato’s “Muse”, a melody-focused reflection; and the pandemic-inspired title cut, by Parlato, a musical antidote to all things inhibitive. These engaging originals stand alongside revamped covers like “I Miss You” (by pop R&B group Klymaxx), here as a Brazilian samba, and “Walking After You”, (by alt-rock band Foo Fighters), revelatory under the duo’s gentler touch. On Jul 4th-5th, they’re at Blue Note to introduce these new tunes.
The summer jazz festivals give a good excuse to get out of town this month (if you need one). Jazz Forum Arts sponsors a regular outdoor series for little-to-nothing in various parks in the Hudson Valley: In Henry Gourdine Park you can hear Teri Roiger and Sharp 5 on Jul. 10th; in Lyndhurst, Alicia Renee on Jul. 6th and Aimee Allen on Jul. 20th; in Pierson Park, the Anais Reno Quartet on Jul. 14th; and Hilary Gardner and The Lonesome Pines at the organization’ Tarrytown club, Jazz Forum, on Jul. 16th. A little farther upstate, in Katonah, Cecile McLorin Salvant is the main event at JALC’s Caramoor Jazz Festival on Jul. 22th; Christie Dashiell graces the stage earlier that day. But if you want to stay in the city, rising star Veronica Swift will sing at the Midsummer Music Fest at 92Y on Jul. 13th, followed by superstar Dee Dee Bridgewater and the Bill Charlap Trio on Jul. 18th.
In 1966, the Newport Jazz Festival presented Nina Simone, who performed six tunes from her regular repertoire. This month, Verve Records will release You’ve Got To Learn, the archival recording of that gig, in commemoration of what would have been the vocal legend’s 90th birthday this past February. You can catch a sneak peak of the album via the official video for “Mississippi Goddam”, already out on YouTube.
Also in 1966, Simone released Wild Is The Wind (Philips Records), one of the singer’s most popular albums and an instant classic. Singer/actress Nicole Henry included the album’s cover track on her own release, 2021’s Time to Love Again (Banister). This eclectic collection includes several forgotten jewels, like Sade’s “Is It A Crime”, Maria Maldaur’s “Midnight At The Oasis”, Buffy St. Marie’s “Until It's Time For You To Go” and Joan Armatrading’s “Love and Affection”. Henry makes her Birdland debut Jul. 10th.