A meticulously-crafted, standout effort
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The House That Soul Built first came across Jarrod Lawson when he accompanied contemporary jazz artist Tahirah Memory at Pizza Express Live last year. Their musical telepathy and Lawson’s own piano playing and vocals marked him as one to watch. Indeed, he wowed soul music fans with his eponymous debut album back in 2014.
His sophomore effort Be The Change came about after the Portland-based singer-songwriter was contacted by Grammy-nominated percussionist Sammy Figueroa, who plays on the album. Be The Change hosts a rich yet delicately textured selection where Lawson draws upon his jazz pianism, melismatic tenor, and predilection for stacked harmonies.
Opening track and lead single ‘Be the Change’ has an air of Donny Hathaway in its melody and socially conscious message. Lawson says, “My intent with this lyric is to offer a glimpse of a future where social and environmental irresponsibility dissolves to make way for accountability and foresight. A world where the concerns of future generations become the concerns of this and every generation.”
He follows with the soothing slow jam ‘I’ll Be Your Radio’, featuring jazz fusion group Moonchild, before turning up the stank (albeit politely) with ‘Battlefield’. ‘You’re mind is the battlefield,’ he sings, imploring the listener to argue and challenge with integrity and intellectual rigour.
‘Love Isn’t Always Enough’ could quite possibly be one of the strongest soul ballads of the past decade. After a glistening introduction with piano and flugelhorn, Lawson proceeds to bid farewell to a partner, conceding that the success of a relationship is predicated on more than just love itself. ‘We tried to fulfil each others needs to the best of our ability… Tried so hard but the reality is love isn’t always enough ,’ he sings. The song is a marvellous showcase for Lawson’s vocals with soaring high chest notes and seamless falsetto transitions.
Material that would feel meandering and self-indulgent in the hands of a less capable vocalist/musician is riveting with Lawson at the helm. He brings swooning cadences to ‘Connected’, a soulfulness that lifts ‘Embrace What We Are’ from feeling saccharine, and slinky keys to close ‘Why Don’t You Call Me Baby Anymore’. The D’Angelo-ish ‘Soul Symphony’ is six minutes of musical paradise that the listener can bathe in.
Standout Tracks: ‘Be The Change’, ‘Battlefield’, ‘Love Isn’t Always Enough’
Image Copyright: Dome Records
