Genres: Soul-Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Rhythm & Blues
Jose James sounds a lot like D'Angelo but with more jazz influence, I picked this one out cause it looked interesting and was released by Bluenote who have been behind some of my favorites. There is wide appeal in this album but nothing that could be called selling-out to an R&B radio crowd, this is high quality soul-jazz with a slightly funky R&B feel. James doesn't do anything too crazy on the record, there are no long spoken word tracks or needless soloing by the band behind him, this is tightly composed music for James vocals to shine. With that said, there is a varied approach taken on the album which is quietly adventurous.
Every track on this album is great. The opening track 'It's All Over Your Body' is sexy and smooth without being explicit. 'Sword + Gun' has a slight latin-feel to the horns and is more tense, the vocals wordlessly drone to great affect. 'Trouble' seems like adventurous pop music in that it is almost an R&B song from the 1970's but there is definite jazz leans and modern production. 'Vangaurd' sounds like something A Tribe Called Quest would sample as it is smooth as butter, James's voice drives the thing and he shines brightly. 'Come to My Door' seems like another R&B style single with a big chorus and pop-arrangement. There is a second arrangement of this song at the end that is quieter and is more striking. 'Make it Right' is a funk workout.'Tomorrow' builds it's intensity with spoken word and Jame's singing carries the whole thing gracefully.
I really enjoyed this and I'm glad I picked it up.
RATING: 4.5/5
Here is the song 'Trouble' sung at the Allsaints Basement
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