The upcoming Blue Note Re:imagined project matches old compositions from the historic label to contemporary jazz and soul musicians.
The album’s sixth single is a cover of Nicholas Brodzsky and Sammy Cahn’s ‘I’ll Never Stop Loving You’, delivered by British neo-soul vocalist Yazmin Lacey. The jazz standard was recorded on Blue Note by the late Dodo Greene on her album My Hour of Need (1962).
Lacey begins a cappella before gradually bringing in the band. Compared to Greene’s more conventional pop-jazz direction, Lacey’s take is more abstract and percussive. The arrangement grants her the space to be playful with her vocals, synergising nicely with the somewhat irreverent trumpet.
“Blue Note recordings are iconic. The artists, the music, the history. They have influenced so many artists that I love and I’m sure will continue for years. I’m so excited that we got to be a part of this compilation that brings together some incredible artists from the jazz scene,” Lacey says.
Blue Note Re:imagined is a brand new collection of classic Blue Note tracks brought together for the first time, reworked and newly recorded by a selection of the jazz scene’s most exciting young talents. The full tracklist is as follows:
- Jorja Smith “Rose Rouge”– from St Germain Tourist (2000)
- Ezra Collective “Footprints”– from Wayne Shorter Adam’s Apple (1966)
- Poppy Ajudha “Watermelon Man (Under The Sun)”– from Herbie Hancock Takin’ Off (1962)
- Jordan Rakei “Wind Parade”– from Donald Byrd Places and Spaces (1975)
- Skinny Pelembe “Illusion (Silly Apparition)”– from Andrew Hill One for One (1969)
- Alfa Mist “Galaxy”– from Eddie Henderson Sunburst (1975)
- Ishmael Ensemble “Search for Peace”– from McCoy Tyner The Real McCoy (1967)
- Nubya Garcia “A Shade of Jade”– from Joe Henderson Mode for Joe (1966)
- Steam Down feat. Afronaut Zu “Etcetera”– from Wayne Shorter Etcetera (1965)
- Blue Lab Beats “Montara”– from Bobby Hutcherson Montara (1975)
- Yazmin Lacey “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” – from Dodo Greene My Hour of Need (1962)
- Fieh “Armageddon”– from Wayne Shorter Night Dreamer (1964)
- Mr Jukes “Maiden Voyage”– from Herbie Hancock Maiden Voyage (1965)
- Shabaka Hutchings “Prints Tie”– from Bobby Hutcherson San Francisco (1970)
- Melt Yourself Down “Caribbean Fire Dance”– from Joe Henderson Mode for Joe (1966)
- Emma-Jean Thackray “Speak No Evil / Night Dreamer”– from Wayne Shorter Speak No Evil (1964) & Night Dreamer (1964)
(Image copyright: Blue Note Records)
