Be The Change

Albumbeschreibung

Considering the attention and accolades Jarrod Lawson received for his 2014 self-titled debut, it would have been sensible for the singer, songwriter, and keyboardist to keep his foot on the gas and quickly knock out a follow-up. Instead, he crossed continents as a performer and leant his talent to numerous recordings headlined mostly by established associates such as trumpeter Farnell Newton and keyboardist Steveland Swatkins. Lawson also partnered with Tahirah Memory for an EP as a duo and diverted with an expansive instrumental set as Orpheus. The upshot of all this is that Be the Change is livelier and even more distinctive than the debut. Moreover, the material is as committed to promoting spring-in-the-step positivity with a glistening mix of soul and jazz that often shines direct light on Lawson's stacked harmonies. All of it is intricately woven yet easy to enjoy; Lawson is at once a musician's musician and a crowd pleaser, and some of the material approximates the feel of an Al Jarreau session with Earth, Wind & Fire. (In one deviation from that likeness, Lawson makes like an enunciating D'Angelo with a charmingly self-effacing sense of humor.) No matter the complexity, the line of communication to the soul is clear, urging empathy, social progress, and unity. While nothing grooves quite as hard as the first LP's most energetic songs, the frequent presence of sure-handed veteran percussionist Sammy Figueroa is a positive trade-off. A shrewd if natural match is made with the slightly hipper Moonchild, whose Amber Navran duets with Lawson on one of the few romantic ballads.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo