Vocalist Jose’ James did the world a favor by re-interpreting the Billie Holiday songbook a couple of years back. This call is even better, as he explores the world of the legendary Bill Withers, who ruled the airwaves in the 70s before jumping off of the whirlwind world of the music biz. This album covers almost all of the major Withers pieces (What? No “Harlem”?!?), and his relaxed yet assured voice works well while keeping true to the basic gist of most of the original arrangements.
Some hip and soulful congas and drums team with guitar on a bluesy “Better off Dead” whi le the team is in a funky swamp as James leers on “Who Is He.” A seductive “The Same Love That Made Me Laugh” includes some 70s Soul Train guitar work and he snaps to the drums and organ on a sleek “Use Me.”
The band of Pino Palladino/b, Kris Bowers/key, Brad Allen Williams/g, Nate Smith/dr, Marcus Strickland/ts and Takuya Kuroda/tp keep the grooves steady and smoky, whle the high hat is in heaven with James dueting with Lalah Hathaway on “Lovely Day.” The gospel-inflected “Lean On Me” is a close cousin to the original, whereas “Ain’t No Sunshine” has some extra CTI keyboard work by Bowers to give it a nightclub feel. James captures the calmness of Withers with just enough of his own personality to make this musical house a home, as well as being able to blend in to make this album all his own as well as a tribute to a king that is still alive and with us.