José James, the internationally acclaimed jazz singer of the hip-hop generation, has just released his 12th studio album, ‘1978’ through Rainbow Blonde Records.
‘1978’ is named after the year James was born and features collaborations with rising Brazilian star and recently Grammy-nominated Xênia França, as well as with Congolese-Belgian rapper/filmmaker Baloji. The new album successfully captures the sounds of the 70s, an era where jazz, soul, disco, and hip-hop merged and filled the shimmering nightclubs.
Five years in the making, ‘1978‘ emerges as James’s most autobiographical work to date, pulsating with the party vibes and socially conscious political themes of the 70s. The tracks “Saturday Night (Need You Now)” and “Planet Nine” invite listeners to escape to the dance floor, while “For Trayvon” is a balanced tribute to Trayvon Martin. “38th & Chicago” expresses James’s outrage and heartbreak over the murder of George Floyd. Despite its infectious beat and chorus, the lyric comprises a striking and poignant protest anthem, with a title referencing the Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd was killed, just blocks from where James grew up. James emerges as a leader in today’s global black music through collaborations like “Dark Side Of The Sun” with Baloji and “Place of Worship” with Xênia França. In recent international reviews of ‘1978‘, Record Collector compares James to a “Johnny Hartman-style singer for the hip-hop era,” while Echoes praises his “sexy Marvin-style wave” in “Black Orpheus [Don’t Look Back].”
James debuted ‘1978’ live earlier this year at the Music Hall of Williamsburg as part of the NYC Winter Jazz Fest. He is performing in New York for a week-long residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club, and starting this spring, international fans will be able to see him at renowned venues throughout Europe, including in Portugal, on October 22, at Casa da Música.
Always confirm with the concert hall or promoter the conditions of access, confirmation of the date or time, ticket place of sale, price, and availability.
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