The ShortListen: Gregory Porter (no. 268)
Jazz supremo announces follow-up to Grammy Award-winning Liquid Spirit
Who? Gregory Porter
What’s the story? Californian jazz-soul singer Gregory Porter broke through into the mainstream with his Grammy-award winning third album, 2014's Liquid Spirit, which sold over a million copies worldwide. Now he's back with the follow-up album Take Me To The Alley and to whet our appetites, he's released two tracks from it. Don't Lose Your Steam (below) is a funky soulful uptempo blast of fun, but it's Holding On (above) which truly takes the breath away. Originally released in a collaboration with Disclosure last year, this version sees the tempo reduced, the beats disappear, and some glorious melancholic chords introduced to the mix. Porter's utterly stunning voice is allowed to unfold and showcase his control of dynamic and emotion. It's jaw-droppingly good - and just when you think it can't get any more beautiful, out comes a muted trumpet solo. Bring on the album.
For fans of: José James, Gretchen Parlato
In three words: Stunningly excellent comeback
