Jpeg Raw＜Colored Vinyl＞

The more albums Gary Clark, Jr. makes, the harder it is to classify him, and thats one of the best things about his body of work. While Clark still gets filed under "blues" by most folks, anyone who heard 2012s Blak and Blu and 2019s This Land knows his music encompasses an impressive range of sounds and styles, and for a guy who was supposed to be a guitar hero, his six-string work is only one of the many ingredients he layers into his dense, innovative arrangements. This Land was a brilliant work of musical wanderlust and articulate rage as he explored the abuses of the Trump era through the lens of Black American music, and if 2024s JPEG RAW isnt quite as sharp thematically (though its close), musically its another triumph that makes room for blues, hard rock, funk, jazz, R&B, and hip-hop flavors that can by turns fill up the dancefloor, set the mood for quiet storm, inspire listeners to man the barricades, and kick out the jams. George Clinton guests on the track "Funk Witch U," a more than fitting meeting of minds given how Clarks take on Black rock recalls the glory days of Funkadelic, and Stevie Wonder lends vocals to "What About the Children," which wouldnt be at all out of place on one of Wonders 70s masterpieces as well as reminding us "Living in the City" is still far more relevant than it should be in 2024. Keyon Harrold spins some sweet, muted trumpet lines over "Alone Together," a romantic number with a tough undertow, and Clark trades verses with Valerie June on "Dont Start," a raw slice of rockin blues that matches the wiry energy of R.L. Burnsides electric juke joint sessions. Gary Clark, Jr.s catalog shows he has the talent, intelligence, and vision to make a grand-scale musical statement out of any style he chooses, and JPEG RAW only reinforces that notion; hes been creating some of the boldest and most interesting guitar-based music of his time, and this is as exciting and rewarding as anyone could hope. ~ Mark Deming

どんな相手にも対応可能なブルースを引っ提げ、理想郷を探し求めてあてどない鉄火旅を続ける男の5年ぶりの新作。ダーティーなエレキがのたうち回る冒頭の"Maktub"からして今度の旅がスリルに満ちた内容だと伝えてくれるが、ジャズやヒップホップなどさまざまなスタイルへの深い理解が顕れた楽曲群からは従来以上に野心的な姿勢が読み取れたりもする。それはコラボ曲にも顕著で、スティーヴィー・ワンダーやジョージ・クリントンらその筋の超大物を迎えての見事な立ち回りぶりを見ても、彼らしいファンク・サウンドを披露し、演奏家としてひと皮剥けた姿が拝めるだろう。相当な力作だ。
bounce (C)桑原シロー