If you grooved to the sound of No Beginning, No End, Jose James' last Blue Note album, get ready for a whole different experience with his new outing, While You Were Sleeping. Don't even think about categorising the musical blend that James and his collaborators have dished up, let's just say you'll be impressed.
While You Were Sleeping is heavy on bass and beats but there's also plenty of variety and subtlety. Angel, the opening stanza, for example is rock heavy but also with tasty Fender Rhodes touches. On the title track James shares the vocal duties with Becca Stephens and Nate Gowtham. Noble Truths is my favourite track, with violin and cello complementing the basic line-up of organ, bass, guitar and drums, closely followed by Stevens' composition Dragon, its shared vocals and a Wurlitzer creating an ethereal effect.
James has enlisted a stellar crew of bandmates but his vocals are the glue that brings it all together. Yes, some tracks are very much in-your-face, but with a standard of musicianship that resonates class. Although I prefer the songs with a slower tempo, the contrast also works for me.
A warning: While You Were Sleeping needs to be played loud. Jose James is a pioneer of a whole new mix of music incorporating jazz, hip-hop, rock and beats, and it's well worth the journey.
