José James, the internationally acclaimed jazz singer of the hip-hop generation, has just released his 12th studio album, 1978 on Rainbow Blonde Records.
1978 is named after the year James was born and features collaborations with rising Brazilian star and recent Latin Grammy nominee Xênia França, as well as Congolese-Belgian rapper/filmmaker Baloji. The new album successfully captures the sounds of the 70s, an era where jazz, soul, disco and hip-hop fused and filled sparkling nightclubs.
Five years in the making, 1978 emerges as James’ most autobiographical work to date, pulsing with the partisan and socially conscious political vibes of the ’70s. The albums Saturday Night (Need You Now) and Planet Nine invite listeners to escape to the dance floor of dance, while “For Trayvon” is a balanced tribute to Trayvon Martin. “38th & Chicago” expresses James’ outrage and heartbreak surrounding the murder of George Floyd.
Despite its infectious beat and chorus, the lyrics comprise a stunning and moving protest anthem, with a title that references the Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd was murdered, just blocks from where James grew up.
James emerges as a leader in global black music today through collaborations such as “Dark Side Of The Sun” with Baloji and “Place of Worship” with Xenia França. In recent international reviews from 1978, Record Collector compares James to a “Johnny Hartman-style singer for the hip-hop era,” while Echoes praises his “sexy Marvin-style swell” on “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 appears in New York for a week-long residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club and from this spring, foreign fans will be able to see him in renowned venues across Europe, including in Portugal, on October 22nd, at Casa da Music.
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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