In the time since Gregory Porter exploded onto the international music scene with his debut album “Water”, he has racked up a stream of awards including a best Jazz Vocal Grammy nomination. It includes the politically charged “1960 What?”, a song with its pulsating beat has also become a dancefloor favourite and has been given a sturdier club feel courtesy of Opolopa on his “Kick & Bass Re-Rub” combined with the original on this Expansion 12”.
Gregory Porter as narrator, sounding like Amiri Baraka, declares on “1960 What?” that “the motor city is burning y’all—that ain’t right” and refers to Martin Luther King Jr.’s death and describes trigger-happy policing (supported by a trumpet that blares, jabs, rumbles, and yearns); and the song portrays how certain events turn people against the possibilities of life and light. A vision that only recognizes strength and cruelty and rage is dangerously imperfect: rather, creativity, education, intelligence, sensitivity, democratic political participation, and compassionate social work are goals and virtues that can be affirmed, if not actively pursued, in all times.
An edit of the original on 7” accompanies “On My Way To Harlem”, a proud descendent of the vocal jazz-soul classics of old. If you thought we would never hear a new piece of music in the spirit of Bill Withers, Jon Lucien, Gil-Scott Heron and Leon Thomas, then get ready to believe again. Consider the achingly poignant lyrics brimming with righteous anger, telling the tale of an area's gentrification and subsequent loss of identity and soul - marginalising the very people who made the place 'hip' in the first place. Consider the strutting Funk Brothers-style rhythm and beautiful instrumentation on this 7” version.