With a soulful Donny Hathaway arrangement…
Robin Murray
13 · 10 · 2022
James Brandon Lewis will release new album ‘Eye Of I’ on February 3rd.
The saxophonist is lauded as one of the foremost jazz technicians of his time, revered by his peers and jazz greats alike. In fact, here’s a quote from Sonny Rollings, the tenor colossus himself:
“When I listen to you, I listen to Buddha, I listen to Confucius, I listen to the deeper meaning of life. You are keeping the world in balance…”
New album ‘Eye Of I’ finds Lewis returning to the fray, and it’s his first on revered imprint ANTI-. The 11 track effort is led by ‘Someday We’ll All Be Free’, which is a flowing, spiritual take on the music of Donny Hathaway.
A performance blessed with soul, the ensemble also features Kirk Knuffke on the cornet. Lewis says…
“I have always loved Donny Hathaway, not only his voice but his piano playing, in-depth lyrical content, use of metaphor and empowerment. We both also went to Howard University. I truly learned how deep he was as a musician and about his background in classical, jazz and gospel while I was in school there. I also finally reached a point where I felt I could cover him in an honest way while still being myself. He is truly a genius.”
Tune in now.
Tracklisting:
1. Foreground
2. Someday We’ll All Be Free
3. The Blues Still Blossoms
4. Middle Ground
5. Eye Of I
6. Within You Are Answers
7. Womb Water
8. Background
9. Send Seraphic Beings
10. Even The Sparrow
11. Fear Not (feat. The Messthetics)
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