GRETCHEN PARLATO

THE WISE ONES

Edition Records

Gretchen Parlato, vocals/composer/lyricist.

Gretchen Parlato is a stylist whose breathy voice is immediately recognizable.  This new album release titled “The Wise Ones” offers eleven compositions that Parlato interprets in her own inimitable way. Opening with “Capricorn” the piano of Gerald Clayton is a magnificent addition to the arrangement. Parlato’s voice sings the story in clear whispery soprano tones. The background voices are perfectly placed, to become a trampoline for Clayton’s piano notes to solo and bounce upon.  I played this opening tune a few times before reviewing the rest of the album.  This one should get lots of contemporary jazz airplay.

Fifteen years later, Parlato’s returns to the sound that popularized and redefined the role of vocals in contemporary jazz. She continues to incorporate African and Caribbean rhythms into her music on a song called “Never Come Down” that features Meshell Ndegeocello on bass and vocals, along with the percussion and drumming of Mark Guillana.  The vocal chant sings “If you ever gonna get up, you can never come down.”  This sing-song tune sounds like the perfect background music for a game of Double Dutch.  The lyrics are a collaboration between Parlato and long-time writing partner, Alan Hampton. The video is amazing, mixing humanity with AI and robot-looking people, along with chants you might hear children sing.  This could be another page in Gretchen Parlato’s book of hit singles.

A funk drum line introduces a tune called “Rainbows” that is a composition written by Parlato and Robert Glasper.  The arrangement employs a layering of background voices and a repetitive melodic structure. The title tune, “The Wise Ones” was penned by Parlato and Amber Navran, who composed the music and plays woodwinds, synthesizers and sings on this project. There is a circular tidepool to the music that Parlato presents. It both hypnotizes and becomes a melodic whirlpool that pulls this listener into Gretchen’s musical world.  I was happy to see the added booklet that documents Parlato’s profound lyrics inside the CD jacket. Parlato is a master poet, but I can’t always understand every word when she sings her lyrics.

This album Is another Gretchen Parlato work of art. It sparkles with creativity.  The brilliant fellow musicians add shine to her project.  The vocal arrangements are a plus to the production and the songs are fresh.  Parlato once again blends pop with electronic and contemporary jazz.

GRETCHEN PARLATO BAND: Gretchen Parlato, vocals/composer/lyricist; Alan Hampton, bass/voice/guitar/piano; Robert Glasper, piano/Fender Rhodes; Gerald Clayton, piano/Rhodes/Wurlitzer /celeste/pump organ; Meshelle Ndegeocello, vocals/bass; Amber Navran, voice/woodwinds/synthesizers; Josh Mease, guitar; Mark Guiliana, drums/ percussion; Mark Bryk & Jacob Mann, synthesizers; Becca Stevens, voice/Kora.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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