The historically and musically significant year of 1978 also is the year that singer-songwriter-producer José James was born in Minneapolis. Now it is the title of his 12th album, released on April 5, 2024.
A double-disc set, “1978” features nine transcendent tracks that capture José James at a mid-career apex, craftily overlapping soul, hip-hop, jazz and other jazz-adjacent styles into a fully realized album of remarkable focus. The songs range from the deeply personal and intimate to politically minded and message-driven. The grooves stretch from edgy and resolute to relaxed and seductive.
The performances are supported by a lean-and-lithe lineup of young talent and unexpected collaborators: guitarist Marcus Machado (who has played with Robert Glasper and Anderson Paak), keyboardist Chad Selph (Lalah Hathaway, Bilal), bassist David Ginyard (Solange, Blood Orange), drummer Jharis Yokley (Chance the Rapper, Ani DiFranco) and a featured guest on various tracks, Latin conguero Pedrito Martinez.
“This kind of band, small and tight, is how I stay connected to my jazz essence,” James said. “They can play anything. Everything we tracked, we did with everyone looking at each other in the studio. I wanted that live feeling, like we’re discovering it for the first time.”
Material-wise, James had been ready for a while. He had worked on new songs even while touring behind his albums “No Beginning No End 2” and “On & On.” “Many of the songs on ‘1978’ began to come together about five years ago. Those ideas evolved, and once we had the group together, it all really came together fast.”
During this period, he was introduced to Leon Ware, the Motown songwriter who famously worked with Marvin Gaye in the 1970s. A friendship soon grew into a working relationship.
“I had a writing session with Leon back in 2009 in L.A. at his house in Marina Del Rey. We talked for hours about jazz, Motown and Marvin. ‘I Want You’ is my all-time favorite album — relaxed grooves and jazz flavors. I wanted ’1978’ to feel like Leon and [the late producer-rapper] J Dilla had come together and made an album for me.”
José James’ “1978” draws its power from a timeless relevancy and a deep sense of the personal. It is a richly layered musical statement connecting to the present-day and to past sounds and styles as well — a sincere and seductive valentine to his love of jazz, soul and hip-hop.
2025
Please note: Biographies are based on information provided to the CSOA by the artists or their representatives. More current information may be available on websites of the artists or their management.
