Name: Gregory Porter: Liquid Spirit
Release year: 2013
Genre: Jazz, Vocal Jazz, Modern Jazz, Soul

Description:

Blue Note Records presents Liquid Spirit, the remarkable major label debut from Grammy-nominated jazz and soul singer Gregory Porter. The 14-track album is further justification for Porter's quick ascent into the top of the ranks of jazz and R & B singles today, and it also features 10 new originals which showcase Porter's innate gift for writing poignant songs based on personal experiences with a relatable and emotional immediacy. Also included is a stirring rendition of the jazz standard "I Fall In Love Too Easily," as well as covers of Abbey Lincoln's "Lonesome Lover" and Ramsey Lewis' hit "The 'In' Crowd."

"I firmly consider myself a jazz singer but I enjoy blues, southern soul, and gospel," says Porter. "Those elements make their way inside my music. And I've always heard them in jazz. "Indeed, Porter wields one of the most captivating baritone voices in music today. It emits an enormous amount of soul that conveys both the emotions and intellect of any given song without relying on vocal histrionics.

In The New York Times, Nate Chinen wrote: "Gregory Porter had most of what you want in a male jazz singer, and maybe you wanted." Jazz singer Dee Dee Bridgewater praised Porter in the pages Of JazzTimes by saying, "We have not had a male singer like him in a long time. He's such a wonderful writer. He's a story teller. "

On Liquid Spirit, Porter retains the same core music, Porter retains the same core musicians, pirate and music director, Chip Crawford, drummer Emanuel Harrold, bassist Aaron James, alto saxophonist Yosuke Sato, and tenor saxophonist Tivon Pennicott. On a few selections, Porter complements that ensemble with trumpeter Curtis Taylor, and organist Glenn Patscha. Producer Brian Bacchus also returns, as well as arranger and associate producer Kamau Kenyatta.

Porter sees Liquid Spirit as a logical progression in his burgeoning discography as he touches some of the same themes, especially the highs and lows of romance, his childhood, and socio-political observations. More pointedly, he views the title-track, a rousing, hand-clapping gospel-jazz romp, dealing with replenishing "thirsty" listeners with more substantial music, as the flipside to last year's "bling song on his previous Album Be Good on which the protagonist had so many.

Similar sentiments occur on the "Musical Genocide," on which Crawford hammers a dark rhythmic figure against James's bluesy bass accompaniment as Porter declares his refusal of accepting the insistent squashing of quality, . In part, these songs are based upon Porter's reflections on new fans, worldwide, who come to him saying, "Where have you been?" Or "How come I've never heard you before." Is, 'Porter says, "But I think what I'm doing. There are some people who want that liquid spirit - a soulful, thoughtful sound - and they have not been getting it. "

Tracklist:
01. No Love Dying
02. Liquid Spirit
03. Lonesome Lover
04. Water Under Bridges
05. Hey Laura
06. Musical Genocide
07. Wolfcry
08. Free
09. Brown Grass
10. Wind Song
11. The "In" Crowd
12. Movin '
13. When Love Was King
14. I Fall In Love Too Easily

Issued: United States | Universal Music
Duration: 1:08:49