A Rhodes piano, congas, languid bassline, the sounds of scratchy vinyl, backing vocals, and ambient sounds underscore James’ vocal phrasing only a few words at a time as hip hop beats and skittering loops permeate his lines. The set kicks off with “Code,” produced by Flying Lotus. His approach, while more innovative this time out, feels no less organic. Enlisting Flying Lotus and a number of other producers, this is a late-night, groove record that allows hip-hop, club jazz, and lithe funk to accent - rather than drive - his smooth, sultry baritone. On Blackmagic, James forges deeper into 21st century soul and experimental territory, without giving up his jazz chops. James' voice echoed the social consciousness of Gil Scott-Heron, the hipness of Babs Gonzales, the sophistication of Jon Lucien, and the soulfulness of Terry Callier, whether he was improvising over a piano trio playing Mingus, or singing his own lyrics over electronic beats. Jazz Times selected it as one of its albums of the year in 2008. When Gilles Peterson's Brownswood imprint released American vocalist and composer José James' debut album Dreamer, the effect in club culture and throughout the jazz communities in New York, Japan, and Europe was immediate.
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