BRANDEE YOUNGER — Brand New Life (review)

BRANDEE YOUNGER — Brand New Life album cover Album · 2023 · Nu Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
There are not many known harpists in jazz - bop-rooted Dorothy Ashby in the 60s, strongly spiritual jazz-influenced Alice Coltrane in the 70s and ECM fans will probably know Finnish Iro Haarla as well. Classically trained New-Yorikan Brandee Younger is the new jazz harp star.

Just released, Brandee's seventh studio album, "Brand New Life" is a true gem. She plays five Dorothy Ashby compositions and two originals, along with other songs. With participation of 9th Wonder and Pete Rock on Drum Programming and r'n'b singer Meshell Ndegeocello, one might expect that this album contains danceable rhythms based in r'n'b, but this expectation would be a wrong one.

Brandee leads a post-bop rooted band playing contemporary melodic music, sort of a hip pop jazz with r'n'b, hip-hop and classic elements. The opener, Ashby's "You're A Girl For One Man Only" represents Brandee's harp contemporary sound at its best. The title track is a velvety dreamy r'n'b with Mumu Fresh vocals. Pete Rock's electronic beats-based "Livin' and Lovin' in My Own Way" is a romantic hip-hop piece, Michel Legrand's evergreen "The Windmills of Your Mind" sounds more modern with 9th Wonder added beats, but it still builds the absolutely realistic atmosphere of the French classic movie. And yes - Dorothy Ashby's "Dust" sounds here as sophisticated reggae! Only the closer - Steve Wonder's "If It’s Magic" sounds probably a bit bland.

Produced by modern jazz wizard drummer Makaya McCraven (who plays on the album as well), "Brand New Life" is an excellent stylish contemporary music release, just shhh! - don't tell them it's jazz.
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