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With 2013's Liquid Spirit, jazz singer and songwriter Gregory Porter's Blue Note debut, he accomplished what few in his vocation have in recent decades -- sold over a million albums globally. He also won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. In addition, in 2015, U.K. electronic unit Disclosure released "Holding On" -- a co-write with the singer that featured his vocal -- as the lead single from their Caracal album. The track was a worldwide club hit and inspired numerous remixes. On Take Me to the Alley, Porter sticks to what he does best: writing and singing great songs in his honeyed, unhurried yet disciplined baritone. Kamau Kenyatta remains his producer and his longtime band is back -- drummer Emanuel Harrold, bassist Aaron James, pianist Chip Crawford, and saxophonists Yosuke Sato (alto) and Tivon Pennicott (tenor) -- with select guests including trumpeter Keyon Harrold, vocalist Alicia Olatuja, and organist Ondrej Pivec. The leadoff track, unsurprisingly, is his own version of "Holding On," with a double-timed, brushed hi-hat, Motown-esque bassline, and crystalline piano. It skirts the edges of pop-soul yet remains in the jazz camp. Porter's lyrics are direct, confessional, and poetic. The spiritual clarity of the gospel message in the title cut is underscored by Olatuja's harmony vocal and Harrold's melodic trumpet break. "Consequence of Love" is one of the finest moments here, a tender midtempo ballad offered with the no-nonsense conviction that reveals love may be beyond the measurement of the rational, but commitment to it remains necessary for the revelation of its truth. Porter employs gospelized soul-blues (à la Ray Charles) in "Don't Lose Your Steam," one of two songs inspired by his son. The horns frame the B-3 and rhythm section groove while Sato's solo becomes a responsorial voice. "Fan the Flames" is a swinging political post-bop finger-popper with punchy horns. It's an anthemic call to arms with great solos by Pennicott and Keyon Harrold. The artful, strident narrative in "French African Queen" is accompanied in feverish modal form by the ensemble, accented by fluid rhythms that touch on Latin and African grooves (check the Fela Kuti-inspired horns to boot). A second version of "Holding On," with urban soulman Kem, feels unnecessary in comparison to the first. Conversely, the closer, a second read of the ballad "Insanity" with Lalah Hathaway in duet, should have replaced the first one, because it is superior. A seamless intersection of pop-jazz and adult contemporary soul, it is a set highlight. If there's a knock against Take Me to the Alley, it's that it feels a bit long. Editing out two or three tunes would have heightened its impact. That Porter doesn't break new ground here isn't a big deal; he doesn't need to. His voice, already a standard of excellence by which others are judged, is matched by a truth-laid-bare songwriting style that is singular and second to none.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
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Guy William Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, Composers, Authors - Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Vocals - James John Napier, Composer, Author - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Alicia Olatuja, Adittional Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Aaron James, Double Bass - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Craig Dawson, Composer, Author - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Aaron James, Double Bass - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Aaron James, Double Bass - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Aaron James, Double Bass - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Gregory Porter, Producer - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Darlene Andrews, Composer, Author - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Kem, vocal features - Alicia Olatuja, Vocals - Demetrius Nabors, Bass Guitar, Keyboard - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Aaron James, Double Bass - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kem & Rex Rideout, Vocal producers - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - (Eric Morgeson & Jezreel Santos, Recording Engineer - Todd Fairall & Ray Bardani, Mix Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Lalah Hathaway, Vocals - Alicia Olatuja, Additional Vocals - Darrell Crooks, Guitar - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Aaron James, Double Bass - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer - Rex Rideout, Recording Arranger, Re-Mixer - Ray Bardani Ray, Mixer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals - Alicia Olatuja, Additional Vocals - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Aaron James, Double Bass - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Rami Khalifé, Additional Keyboards - Aymeric Westrich, Drums - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer - Rex Rideout, Recording Arranger - Angy Laperdrix, Re-Mixer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Alicia Olatuja, Additional Vocals - Keyon Harrold, Trumpet, Horn Arranger - Gregory Porter, Composer, Author, Co-Arranger, Vocals, MainArtist - Ondřej Pivec, Organ - Tivon Pennicott, Tenor Saxophone - Chip Crawford, Co-Arranger, Piano - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Aaron James, Double Bass - Yosuke Sato, Alto Saxophone - Emanuel Harrold, Drums - Gregory Porter, Producer - Kamau Kenyatta, Producer, Co-Arranger, Horn Arranger - Pascal Bod, Production Coordinator - (Fred Falke, Re-Mixer - Jay Newland, Mixer, Recording Engineer - Charlie Paakkari, Recording Engineer)
℗ 2016 Gregory Porter, under Exclusive License to Decca Records France
Album review
With 2013's Liquid Spirit, jazz singer and songwriter Gregory Porter's Blue Note debut, he accomplished what few in his vocation have in recent decades -- sold over a million albums globally. He also won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. In addition, in 2015, U.K. electronic unit Disclosure released "Holding On" -- a co-write with the singer that featured his vocal -- as the lead single from their Caracal album. The track was a worldwide club hit and inspired numerous remixes. On Take Me to the Alley, Porter sticks to what he does best: writing and singing great songs in his honeyed, unhurried yet disciplined baritone. Kamau Kenyatta remains his producer and his longtime band is back -- drummer Emanuel Harrold, bassist Aaron James, pianist Chip Crawford, and saxophonists Yosuke Sato (alto) and Tivon Pennicott (tenor) -- with select guests including trumpeter Keyon Harrold, vocalist Alicia Olatuja, and organist Ondrej Pivec. The leadoff track, unsurprisingly, is his own version of "Holding On," with a double-timed, brushed hi-hat, Motown-esque bassline, and crystalline piano. It skirts the edges of pop-soul yet remains in the jazz camp. Porter's lyrics are direct, confessional, and poetic. The spiritual clarity of the gospel message in the title cut is underscored by Olatuja's harmony vocal and Harrold's melodic trumpet break. "Consequence of Love" is one of the finest moments here, a tender midtempo ballad offered with the no-nonsense conviction that reveals love may be beyond the measurement of the rational, but commitment to it remains necessary for the revelation of its truth. Porter employs gospelized soul-blues (à la Ray Charles) in "Don't Lose Your Steam," one of two songs inspired by his son. The horns frame the B-3 and rhythm section groove while Sato's solo becomes a responsorial voice. "Fan the Flames" is a swinging political post-bop finger-popper with punchy horns. It's an anthemic call to arms with great solos by Pennicott and Keyon Harrold. The artful, strident narrative in "French African Queen" is accompanied in feverish modal form by the ensemble, accented by fluid rhythms that touch on Latin and African grooves (check the Fela Kuti-inspired horns to boot). A second version of "Holding On," with urban soulman Kem, feels unnecessary in comparison to the first. Conversely, the closer, a second read of the ballad "Insanity" with Lalah Hathaway in duet, should have replaced the first one, because it is superior. A seamless intersection of pop-jazz and adult contemporary soul, it is a set highlight. If there's a knock against Take Me to the Alley, it's that it feels a bit long. Editing out two or three tunes would have heightened its impact. That Porter doesn't break new ground here isn't a big deal; he doesn't need to. His voice, already a standard of excellence by which others are judged, is matched by a truth-laid-bare songwriting style that is singular and second to none.
© Thom Jurek /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 16 track(s)
- Total length: 01:07:18
- 1 Digital booklet
- Main artists: Gregory Porter
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Blue Note Records
- Genre: Jazz
© 2016 Gregory Porter ℗ 2016 Gregory Porter
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