Jonathan Butler continues to make some of the most enjoyable and inspired music around these days. And the thing to remember is that the word “inspired” here is used literally-“breathed in” by God. This devoted Christian mixes the hope of the faith with the rhythm of the church to create what jazz was intended for-focusing the eyes upward.
That doesn’t mean every song is a version of “Nearer My God to Thee.” By any stretch. His basic team of Gordon Campbell/dr, Tim Carmon/key, Dan Lutz/b, Dave Wood/g and Ramon Yslas/perc deliver material as soulful as Stevie Wonder on “Heart and Soul” or breezin’ like Benson as on the title track. Butler’s picking is exquisite with the cooking percussion on “African Breeze” while his acoustic musings with Marcus Miller on “Let There Be Light” and “Be Still” take you to the jazzier side of church. But if you want the regular Sunday Service, go no further on the hint of future glory on”Sweet Serenade” which gives a glimpse of the eternal. If you don’t end up with a smile on your face, a glance at your partner or a desire to imbibe the Lord after a few listens of this, you’d better put a mirror up to your nostrils to see if you’re still breathin’! Butler makes you enjoy contemporary jazz like no one else.
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