Here are a pair of releases trying to bridge the generation gap in order to keep the essence of jazz alive.
Robert Glasper is one of the most ardent musicians attempting to mix hip hop and rap with jazz sensibilities. This time around he eschews cameo guest appearances on vocals and focuses with a core team of Mark Colerburg/dr-voc, Casey Benjamin/key-sax, Jahi Sundance/tables, Michael Severson/g and Derrick Hodge/b along with his own work on piano, keyboards and vocals. There’s a mix of bebop and hip hope with Benjamin’s alto on “This Is Not Fear”while R&B and vintage soul is prevalent on “Day to Day” and “Thinkin’ Bout Yo8u.” Benjamin’s vocals work amazingly well on the moody romantic pieces “Human” and “You and Me” while even the disco ball is sparkling on the ballad “Let’s Fall In Love.” This guy, who has been a sideman for the likes of Nenna Freelon, knows how to connect with people.
On his own album, Derrick Hodge plays just about everything, with some help from Mark Colenburg/dr for some of the tracks and a full band of Keyon Harrold/tp, Marcus Strickland/ts and Corey King/tb on the loose New Orleanish “For Generations.” Other than that, you get some hip electric bass musings on pieces like “ World Go Round” the spacey “Transitions” and percussive cantor of “Don Blue.” Some moody keys float with electronic effects on “Heart of a Dreamer” and the synthesized “Clock Strike Zero.” Moog-infested melodies team with piano and bass on “Transitions” and the teams snaps on the groove line of “You Believed.” Subtle rivulets.