When somebody receives such startling success for their debut album, you could perhaps forgive them for resting on their laurels for a while. One might even be inclined to cut them some metaphoric slack if their follow-up album failed to top its gargantuan success. Yet less than 2 years on from his Grammy-nominated album Water, Gregory Porter has produced Be Good, a jazz album of such refined quality and grace that he is fast becoming the shining light of the jazz mainstream.
Despite Porter’s early interest in music, fostered by his introduction to Nat King Cole by his mother, singing was not his first calling. Born and raised in California, Porter attended San Diego State University on a football scholarship; the man is a giant. The saying ‘a blessing in disguise’ could not be more appropriate, as Porter was permanently sidelined with a shoulder injury and was forced to look elsewhere; musical stardom beckoned. Gifted with the most warm and mellifluous of tenor voices, Porter’s lyrics glide effortlessly out from underneath his quirky trademark Kangol hat and beard protector. His voice has the slight roughness of Bill Withers and the smooth tone of Al Green; he truly has the complete vocal package, making each song on the album an utter treat to listen to. Coupled with a fantastic band, Be Good is simply a modern day classic.
The album displays Porter’s tender ponderings on love and family values are expressed in the songs ‘Be Good (Lion’s Song)’ and ‘Real Good Hands’, reflecting his stoic moral principles that characterise the album’s name. Use of metaphor and romantic symbolism conveys his ability as a song-writer as well as a vocalist, and his covers of classic songs from the jazz and soul canon (‘Work Song’ and ‘God Bless the Child’) show a deep appreciation of the pioneers of the greater cultural movement that embodies these genres. ‘On My Way to Harlem’ makes reference to Duke ‘The Duke’ Ellington, Marvin Gaye and Langston Hughes, a rousing journey through the streets of his current hometown. Porter’s album is distinctly his own, but is keen to remember those who so deeply influenced him: as he says himself on this track, ‘I was baptised by the jazz man’s horn’.
Whether you are well-versed in jazz or not, Be Good is an album that should not be overlooked. Gregory Porter must be destined to join those who he idolises somewhere down the line. It is so promising to see an artist this accomplished in his work so early in his recording career (he has been performing since 1998) and I await any future releases with excitement.
Rating: 5 stars
You can also check out the first visual from his sophomore album, Be Good HERE
Written By Jack McSweeny
TweetMe: @Jack_McSweeney