The Quarantined Jazz Voyager
In our ongoing practice of social distancing and wearing our masks, this week’s selection comes the very talented interpreter and vocalist Nnenna Freelon who has delivered her latest Time Traveler. The songs for the album were recorded over a span of two years on March 13~15, 2018, October 24, 2018, August 20, 2020 and September 3, 2020. It was released on May 21, 2021 on the Origin Records label.
The album was recorded at Manifold Records in Pittsboro, North Carolina, Overdub Lane, Durham, North Carolina and Tedesco Studios in Paramus, New Jersey. It was produced by Nnenna Freelon, with musical direction by Miki Hayama. The engineers were Jason Richmond (1~6, 8~11), Ian Schreier (1,3~5,7,9) Tom Tedesco (1~3,8) and John Plymale (2,8).
The cover design and layout was by John Bishop, photography by Chris Charles, clothing stylist ~ Katina Bryson, makeup ~ Sharon Davis, hairstylist ~ Anes El and henna and face artist Shemora Sheik made up the production team.
She draws from her life story the songs of her youth and has helped her navigate the process of loss and healing and steps through an imagined doorway where past, present and future collide. She reminds us of a time when grace and elegance were a standard and that is timeless. There is a reverence in the lyrics that was lost in my youth but has been captured with age.
Tracks | 55:03
- I Say A Little Prayer For You (Burt Bachrach/Hall David) ~ 5:07
- Marvin Medley: If This World Were Mine/Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing/Ain’t No Mountain High Enough ( Marvin Gaye, Ashford & Simpson) ~ 6:05
- Just You (Nnenna Freelon) ~ 5:32
- Betcha By Golly Wow (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 4:54
- Time In A Bottle (Jim Croce) ~ 6:59
- You Make Me Feel Brand New (Thom Bell, Linda Creed) ~ 5:06
- Moon River (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:57
- Time After Time (Sammy Cahn, Jule Styne ~ 4:58
- Come Rain Or Come Shine (Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer) ~ 5:55
- Time Traveler (Freelon,Curry,Robinson, Scott) ~ 4:30
- Nnenna Freelon ~ Vocals
- Miki Hayama ~ Piano 1,3,5,7,8 Rhodes 2,4,9 Synth 2,8
- Chuckey Robinson ~ Keyboards 10,11
- Brandon McCune ~ Hammond Organ 1,3
- Keith Ganz ~ Guitar 2~6,8~11
- Noah Jackson ~ Acoustic Bass 1,3~5,7,9
- Gerald Veasley ~ Electric Bass 2,8
- Lance Scott ~ Electric Bass 10,11
- E. J. Strickland ~ Drums 1,3~5,7,9
- Adonis Rose ~ Drums 2,8
- Jon Curry ~ Drums 10,11
- Beverly Botsford ~ Percussion 2,4,8
- Trineice Robinson-Martin ~ Background Vocal
- Kirk Whalum ~ Tenor Saxophone, Flute 4
- Shana Tucker ~ Cello 5
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