With vocal jazz enjoying a renaissance these days it’s a little bit odd that this genre is mainly left to young females. So, where are the “new”, hungry, gifted, male jazz singers? They make themselves scarce and mainly release albums independently like Buford Powers or James Love.
James Love’s decision to pursue a career in the musical arena has a rather oblique origin. James has a Masters Degree in clinical psychology and it was during a sessions with a client that the conversation switched to music. James knew from that point on that his passion was music. That makes me really wonder who was the client and what was conversation about but that’ll certainly never been known due to professional discretion.
Luckily James didn’t stuck to his job as psychologist but explored the genre of vocal jazz. The first result is his album Invitations, which offers seven standards. Doing a album full of cover versions may not be the most original idea, but James really has the ability to adopt each song and to make it his own. He has a warm, rich voice that is greatly supported by talented musicians like Mark Bridges (piano), Ralph Gibson (tenor sax), Charles Small (guitar) or Cornel Fauler (drums).
James’ interpretation of Blue Moon is one of my favourites. The initial yeahs/scatting sound to me as if he wants to re-do Pharoah Sanders’/Leon Thomas’ The Creature Has Masterplan before the lyrics unveil that he’s actually covering Blue Moon.
Stella By Starlight starts with a beautiful vocal guitar-accompanied intro before James and his band really start swinging on this song.
Another highlight is Sack Full Of Dreams with its fine guitar solos and James whistling toward the end.
I really love the wailing of James’ voice when he sings “Don’t ever go, don’t ever go” on Burt Bacharach’s Look Of Love.

We all know these and the other songs like My Funny Valentine because they are standards, but yet it never gets boring to listen to this album. You discover new aspects of these songs through James’ rendition and that’s what makes this album a winner.

Tracklisting of Invitations: 1. Invitation/ 2. The Look Of Love/ 3. Blue Moon/ 4. My Funny Valentine/ 5. Stella By Starlight/ 6. Unforgettable/ 7. Sack Full Of Dreams | released 2004 by Jazzin Productions

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