If acclaimed vocalist José James ordered prescription glasses, one lens would focus on soul music, the other on hip-hop, with both bifocals lasered on jazz. In other words, James is a proud genre blurrer.
The Minneapolis-born and -reared singer has found a perfect focal point with his new album, “On & On” — the music of Erykah Badu, the high priestess of neo-soul.
“She was like a revelation, just combining in a seemingly effortless way R&B, jazz, hip-hop and songwriting in this new form,” said James, who returns to the Dakota on Monday and Tuesday (May 8-9). “She’s been at every step of the way at the vanguard. I took a hard look at her catalog and said, ‘I think there could be a beautiful album that could be a step forward in the repertoire of what a jazz singer could do today.’ “
By Jon Bream Star Tribune
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?: Janette Beckman