Liquid Spirit

Product Information

After two solid albums on Motema, both of which earned GRAMMY nominations, Gregory Porter made his Blue Note debut with Liquid Spirit in 2013. Follow-up disc Be Good (2012) nailed it again with the modern classic “On My Way To Harlem” conjuring up images of Duke Ellington while Chip Crawford and the guys set up the mood. Porter’s singing is superb on the ballads “When Love Was King” and “Wolfcry”, and his way with an old and prescient soul-jazz hit like “The ‘In’ Crowd” (made famous by Ramsey Lewis) is irresistible. The organ and horn powered “Free” is a get-up-and-dance belter; “The ‘In’ Crowd” is cool personified. Instantly recognisable thanks to his trademark Kangol flat cap Gregory has sent critics scurrying for superlatives with many seeing him as heir apparent to a rich tradition of soul greats including Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway and even Nat King Cole.

Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault] Now That We Don’t Talk (Taylor’s Version) [From The Vault] Thriller “Slut! Hailed by public and critics alike, Liquid Spirit won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014. He explains: “If you manufacture everything; if you shy away from the organic artist who’s gone through something in his life to try to figure out music; if you’re only going for the sexiest, newest thing… Well, that’ll be the death of blues, of soul… So that’s what I mean. Liquid Spirit is Porter's debut for Blue Note, and its title track is the kind of gospelly, handclapping swinger the singer excels on, while Lonesome Lover is a coolly smouldering mid-tempo feature that could have graced a Blue Note set back in the 1960s. Album review: Gregory Porter – Liquid Spirit – Special Edition Porter's magnificent vocals overflow with soul Gregory Porter ― Liquid Spirit".The strength of Liquid Spirit lies in Porter's songs, based upon personal experiences with a relatable and emotional immediacy. In addition, Porter has appeared on the biggest TV shows ( Graham Norton, Jools Holland, Strictly Come Dancing, to name but a few) as well as presented his own series (BBC Four’s Gregory Porter’s Popular Voices). It is a fine piece of work with smart lyrics and pertinent social comment, expert musicianship and plenty of surprise in the arrangements, plus a sparkling production job from Kamau Kenyatta. Marking the 10th anniversary of the album, Blue Note presents a special vinyl edition bringing together the original album on 2LP and a disc of bonus tracks and remixes, with 5 tracks available on vinyl for the first time.

Perhaps the most personal number is “Musical Genocide”, where Porter laments “the death of blues, of soul”. John Fordham of The Guardian stated 'It's a better balanced Porter album than formerly, and as classily polished and confident as is usual from Blue Note. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Gregory Porter’s Liquid Spirit, Blue Note has announced a special vinyl edition out September 1, bringing together the original album on 2LP and a disc of bonus tracks and remixes, with five tracks available on vinyl for the first time.The steady-gaze frankness of Hey Laura is a standout, and Wolfcry is delivered with an expert ballad eloquence almost in Tony Bennett's range. Liquid Spirit was recorded at Sear Sound, keeping it on a New York tip, and mixed at The Grateful Shed. The album successfully harnesses Porter’s strengths, giving him the space to expand on what was already a unique and acclaimed sound. The newly-announced show is part of the prestigious venue’s ‘Christmas At The Royal Albert Hall’ series. These are the kind of moves that delight the festival funky crowds who have taken the artist to their hearts.