Some of the most lovely soul jazz you’ll take in this year is delivered by guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler, as he joins together with Marcus Miller/b and special guests ranging from Stevie Wonder to Russel Ferrante on this latest release. Wonder’s harmonica adds warmth to the percolating and folksy take of his own “Superwoman” , and Ferrante’s piano melds with the virtual orchestra of a heartfelt “Peace IN Shelter” that has Nadira Kimberly Scruggs’ violin glide around Butlers acoustic guitar. Butler and Miller do a couple duets, like the funky and smooth “Bon Appetit”, a sweet and lovely “Springtime In Affrica” and a dreamily thoughtful No Tomorrow”. Guitarist Keb Mo adds his electric guitar to the tender and intimate “When Love Comes In”, , Russel Gunn brings in his horn for a reggae’d “Silver Rain” and calypso’d “Rainbow Nation” and Butler goes it alone on a gorgeously tender “Our Voices Matter”. I’ll put this right next to my Stevie Wonder 70s trio of classics anytime.Jonathan Butler: Ubuntu
Some of the most lovely soul jazz you’ll take in this year is delivered by guitarist/vocalist Jonathan Butler, as he joins together with Marcus Miller/b and special guests ranging from Stevie Wonder to Russel Ferrante on this latest release. Wonder’s harmonica adds warmth to the percolating and folksy take of his own “Superwoman” , and Ferrante’s piano melds with the virtual orchestra of a heartfelt “Peace IN Shelter” that has Nadira Kimberly Scruggs’ violin glide around Butlers acoustic guitar. Butler and Miller do a couple duets, like the funky and smooth “Bon Appetit”, a sweet and lovely “Springtime In Affrica” and a dreamily thoughtful No Tomorrow”. Guitarist Keb Mo adds his electric guitar to the tender and intimate “When Love Comes In”, , Russel Gunn brings in his horn for a reggae’d “Silver Rain” and calypso’d “Rainbow Nation” and Butler goes it alone on a gorgeously tender “Our Voices Matter”. I’ll put this right next to my Stevie Wonder 70s trio of classics anytime.