Jose James – Code (produced by Flying Lotus)
from Black Magic (buy on iTunes)

Jose James. If you’re in the “know,” then you realize that he is one of the best new jazz/soul artists of this decade. If you haven’t heard the name, you might have heard his heavy barratone voice if he lived in Europe. As a signee to Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, he released multiple critically acclaimed albums, and he has collaborated with such names as Basement Jaxx, Jazzanova, and Wynon Marsalis. However, for all of his popularity abroad, he still is not recognized in The States.

For those who haven’t had the opportunity, Mr. James will be releasing his newest album, For All We Know, on Universal/Impulse Records this year, and his newest EP Black Magic (buy on iTunes).

To be honest, I thought that you were much older than your years. How did you get into Jazz Music and who were the artists that inspire you?

I first heard jazz when I was 14 in samples by De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Cypress Hill, Rakim, and Ice Cube. Then I started listening to jazz radio – KBEM 88.5 in Minneapolis – and discovered jazz on it’s own. It was deep and beautiful and new and fed my soul, so I started buying records. Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington were my first inspirations. Then I got into Billie Holiday and John Coltrane.

You’re very popular outside of the States, touring Europe and Japan. Why do you think your sound has not resonated in the US?

It’s simple marketing. I have plenty of fans in the US, but very small distribution for the Brownswood albums. Until I recently signed to Universal I didn’t have a US label, so that makes a huge difference. Despite that “The Dreamer” was voted #21 Top Jazz Album in 2008 by JazzTimes, and I’m performing at Lincoln Center this fall with Wynton Marsalis and the JALC Orchestra. Obviously Gilles is very influential in EU and Japan, so there you go – it’s marketing.

You have collaborated with some great artists: Basement Jaxx, Jazzanova, Nicola Conte, just to name a few. Which one was your favorite?

Working with Chico Hamilton and Junior Mance – living musical legends – has been the collaborative highlight of my career. But I’ve learned from everyone and put that energy into my music.

Your LP Blackmagic sees you going into more R&B territory with the track “Lay You Down.” Why did you decide to flip up your sound from your jazz roots?

I just write music and record it, I wasn’t thinking “is this R&B,” or whatever. I just don’t think about music like that. I actually recorded that live in studio with a full band and 4 piece horn section echoing Marvin Gaye and Leon Ware’s “I Want You,” with a touch of Q in the horns and chord changes circa “Off the Wall.” It’s the intersection of soul and jazz, which I love.

It’s a wide open global expanse. Artists have power – artists have freedom. On a personal level music has to really mean something to someone for them to pay for it, whether live or recorded.

As someone outside of the “mainstream.” What do you think about music industry today?

Well it’s a wide open global expanse. Artists have power – artists have freedom. On a personal level music has to really mean something to someone for them to pay for it, whether live or recorded. It’s more honest and more difficult. Jazz has always brought the live power anyway so that’s a given.  How we react to these changes is up to us.

Finally, what are the top 5 songs that you’re vibing out to on your iPod right now?

“Sing” by FourTet. “Another Day” by Op Swamp 81. “Resolution (live in France)” by John Coltrane Quartet. “Something to Live For” by Ella Fitzgerald with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. “Excalibur” by Oh No.

JOSE JAMES – CODE by Brownswood

Jose James has always been one of my favorite artists of this decade. His  organic, jazzy voice is a unique sound in these days of pitch correction and over-produced tracks.

So I’m glad to see that Mr. James is back on the scene, with a new album Black Magic, and his new Flying Lotus produced track “Code.” First off, this is a different sound for Lotus, who usually specializes in more outerwordly efforts. Jose’s sound hasn’t changed much, and his fans should be pleased.

Jose James will also be headlining NYC’s Hiro Ballroom in April, as well as performing at KCRW Presents – April 14th at Zanibar in Los Angeles.

Black Magic is in stores now.

If you haven’t been enticed with the magical voice of Jose James, then you’re missing out. The jazz crooner has been a favorite on most people’s “underground” list for years. His latest album, Black Magic, dropped last week, and he just dropped a video for his latest single, “Code.” Enjoy. (via Beatlife)

José James :: CODE – Music Video from friendswelove.com on Vimeo.

Jose James – Save Your Love For Me

Jazzanova feat. Jose James – Little Bird

I apologize to everyone. I haven’t written about Jose James on The Couch Sessions at all.

That my friends, is sad. Why? Because Jose James is a dude that you all need to get familiar with. The New York based artist has only been on the scene for a couple years, but his gravely voice sounds like he’s been in the game for more years than his age suggests. At first I thought James was at least in his 40s, but I was shocked to find out that he’s only in his mid 20s. The first time I heard about Jose, it was from the track “Park Bench People,” which reminds me of an updated Curtis Mayfield. James’ age means that he his a kid who grew up in the hip-hop era, but is still partial to Jazz, an art form that we should not let die on the vine. Hopefully artists like James and newcomers like Esmeralda Spalding will open up the genre to a new, younger audience.

The Nancy Wilson cover “Save your love for me” is the first single off of Jose James’ new album, dropping on on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Records real soon.