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Rating: Great |
Since his 2011 debut on Motema Records with 'Water', he has wasted no time in following that release with 'Be Good' the following year, before moving to Blue Note Records and releasing the hugely successful 'Liquid Spirit' in 2014. How he has found time to record as many guest spots as he has in between these releases is beyond me... but that is what this project is - an excellent compilation of his guest spots over the years. It was of course to be expected that with the transition of new soul jazz hero Gregory Porter to Blue Note, his old record label Motema would get a piece of his worldwide success. They were of course the label that made him great.
As long as that happens as it does on Issues Of Life , we can't complain. The inclusion of Opolopo's boogie-infused remix of the classic and breakthrough Gregory Porter anthem '1960 What' is a sensible inclusion here, as are all of his contributions to Zak Najor's funky-jazz Zbonics project ('Time To Do Your Thing') and David Murray's Infinity Quartet album, 'Be My Monster Love', out of Motema Records which thankfully means that 'Army of the Faithful' is included here which is perhaps the star of this release.
Purists beware – this compilation is not the definitive collection of everything Porter has floating around. Sadly, and inexplicably, both of his contributions to The Rongetz Foundation album ('Brooklyn Butterfly Session', 2012) are not here which is a shame, his duet with Dianne Reeves ('Satiated') from her album 'Beautiful Life' (2013) also deserves a hearing, plus his two appearances on Nicola Conte's 'Love and Revolution' album sadly don't find a home here and would have been strong songs to include, particularly 'Do You Feel Like I Feel?'.
The fact that this compilation exists at all is an incredible testament to Gregory Porter's furious work ethic.
= Full Album Play List =
= Track List =
