Be the Change

Considering the attention and accolades Jarrod Lawson received for his 2014 self-titled debut, it would have been sensible for the singer, songwriter, and keyboardist to keep his foot on the gas and quickly knock out a follow-up. Instead, he crossed continents as a performer and leant his talent to numerous recordings headlined mostly by established associates such as trumpeter Farnell Newton and keyboardist Steveland Swatkins. Lawson also partnered with Tahirah Memory for an EP as a duo and diverted with an expansive instrumental set as Orpheus. The upshot of all this is that Be the Change is livelier and even more distinctive than the debut. Moreover, the material is as committed to promoting spring-in-the-step positivity with a glistening mix of soul and jazz that often shines direct light on Lawsons stacked harmonies. All of it is intricately woven yet easy to enjoy; Lawson is at once a musicians musician and a crowd pleaser, and some of the material approximates the feel of an Al Jarreau session with Earth, Wind & Fire. (In one deviation from that likeness, Lawson makes like an enunciating DAngelo with a charmingly self-effacing sense of humor.) No matter the complexity, the line of communication to the soul is clear, urging empathy, social progress, and unity. While nothing grooves quite as hard as the first LPs most energetic songs, the frequent presence of sure-handed veteran percussionist Sammy Figueroa is a positive trade-off. A shrewd if natural match is made with the slightly hipper Moonchild, whose Amber Navran duets with Lawson on one of the few romantic ballads. ~ Andy Kellman

6年前のデビュー作がソウル好きの間で話題を呼んだ米ポートランドのシンガー・ソングライターから待望の2作目が到着。原点として身に染み付いたスティーヴィー・ワンダーを源とする70年代感覚に、ジャジーな洗練を織り込んで紡ぐアーバン・ソウルは今回も健在。ムーンチャイルドのメンバーが参加した美麗デュエット"I'll Be Your Radio"から、彼流のニュー・ソウルと言える"Embrace What We Are"まで、艶のある歌声が映える傑作だ。
bounce (C)池谷瑛子