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The best version of an awesome album. Those in the know, know Blue Note records don't release anything not up to their ridiculously high standards, so even if you don't know Mr Porter (you should) you can be assured that this album is no run of the mill offering.The runaway track here is "Liquid Spirit" a no nonsense song about the greed of man (read capitalism) that deprives people of their basic needs like water. Even if you're a dance aficionado you will have heard this track thanks to the excellent house reworking by Claptone which is also included on this Deluxe Edition.So I've written paragraphs and only mentioned one track so far. I could go into details about the melancholy blues genius that is Water Under Bridges, the perfectly arranged cover of The In Crowd or the other 15 or so tracks (there are 19 presented) but all are just superb.If you have a decent stereo state this disc will make your stereo shine. Those of you into Blue Note jazz may have noticed that original recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder has been painstakingly digitally remastering a lot of the back catalogue to get the best from CD format. This disc will never need that. Every detail in the bass, cymbal etc is presented and every hammer strike in the piano carries a meaningful emotion. Combined with Porters earthy vocal timbre you have an amazing record. Buy it and enjoy the brilliant album.

This is firmly in the mould of Water and Be Good and it sounds very much like those abums - with the same all acoustic, small Jazz group feel.He is now, appropriately enough on Blue Note - as this is clearly the sound that Gregory Porter loves - all those classic albums on that label, from the period when Jazz was the popular music of the day.However, this album sees a move away to more and shorter tracks - mostly around 3-4 minutes, with less of the Jazz improvisation and solos we had on the previous two albums. Now, Saxes and Trumpet are relegated to more of a supporting role as horn section, rather than featured soloists, as they were on tracks like "Work Song".Gregory Porter has been taken up by radio stations like Jazz FM and this material is more radio-friendly, with the vocals clearly to the fore. Of course, he has such an amazing voice that this is all justified - but what made him stand out from the crowd before, was the Jazz musicianship and sophistication.This is still evident to some extent and Chip Crawford, as main collaborator and pianist is excellent throughout - whether as accompanist or soloist. His playing on the Jazz standard "I Fall in Love too Easily" is the real thing - a wonderful slow ballad that at nearly 8 minutes, stands out as the exception here and an authentic Jazz performance, that would grace any New York Jazz club or classic album."Movin'" also has some of the authentic Jazz of previous albums and "Liquid Spirit" is probably the most exciting track with its syncopated Double Bass line driving the band. But most other tracks are kept short with the voice dominating and there is no shortage of tracks that could be played on the radio. In fact this could be easier listening for anybody new to Gregory Porter, than the two previous albums.The material is again mostly original compositions, with a couple of Jazz standards and the old favourite : "The In Crowd" which has been covered by many people, but here receives a suitably Jazzy treatment. Musicianship is excellent throughout, but I would like to have heard more improvisation and real Jazz - more of a live gig feel. The whole album is cohesive - but the longer tracks have been left to the end - hopefully people will get to these, as for me, this is the most impressive part of the album.While the whole may not have the impact of the previous two albums, it's still a huge pleasure to have new material from Gregory Porter and further chances to hear that wonderful voice.

great singer great sound

There are a fair number of reviews that say this album is not as good as previous ones, but for me this is an all time classic.The sound is more Blues-Soul than Jazz which is where the problem possibly lies with the purists, but the superb “stripped back acoustic” sound makes this a very intimate listen. Close your eyes and on a decent system this guy is right there with his band a few feet in front of you, delivering a pitch and note perfect performance with nowhere to hide.There are few albums where when you want to sit back with a glass of wine and unwind that you don’t end up reaching for the skip button for some of the tracks… but this is one of those rarities. Gregory reaches inside your mind with an honesty that is rare with so many over-produced albums these days.So for me Gregory … lets have more of this… it’s unique and refreshing…and transcends your earlier mainstream jazz albums.

What a wonderful album.No matter what you're doing when you put it on, it just makes you stop and listen.Firstly the quality of the recording seems excellent to me, close your eyes and you can almost see the band around Gregory Porter.The band accompany his buttery smooth vocals beautifully, not pulling attention away from his voice but playing with enough flair to make you smile at their artistry in every song.Do yourself a favour, if you're feeling stressed, pour yourself a drink of your choosing and put this album on. The stress will just melt away.I hope you find my review helpful

US singer Gregory Porter has a sumptuous, soulful, quicksilver voice; he makes it all look so effortless and easy. ‘Liquid Spirit’ was Porter's debut for Blue Note and is polished and confident from his warm baritone voice, and it has a title track that is a real gospel swinger. But for me, it's the funky groovers on which he sounds most at home, such as ‘Free’, and the wonderful 1960’s hit ‘The In Crowd’. Porter has great rhythmic phrasing and he is diverse and refuses to be categorized by jazz, gospel, soul, or R & B. One must also mention Porter’s commanding, heartfelt delivery on "Hey Laura" he is relaxed but utterly sincere in his delivery. The way he and his band, and one must mention his band, move through blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B shows such great musical skill and rich talent.

I became familiar with Gregory Porter listening to wbgo FM the jazz station and I am very glad that I ordered the CD and will be ordering more CDs by Gregory Porter in the future. I am grateful that I was able to find this CD to order.

La calidad de la grabación es para resaltar.

Melodía gratificante para los oídos

Jazz to nie do końca mój klimat, ale tego albumu slucha się z przyjemnością.

Its Gregory Porter. I don't need to say anything else....... really but I will 😊.I got introduced to Gregory Porter through YouTube algorithms in 2015. I was listening to Jazz late on Friday at work and YouTube was like try this and played "Hey Laura" I immediately fell in love with the next Laura I met.My favourite tracks are "Hey Laura" "Wolfcry" and "Water Under The Bridge". You can easily play this album from start to finish without skipping. The songs are perfectly written, played and sang. He sounds just as good live as he does on the albums. Easily 10 stars if Amazon allowed it.