JARROD LAWSON

JUST LET IT

Cherry Red Records

Jarrod Lawson is a smooth jazz/R&B artist who brings a message of positivity and love wrapped up in his original music.  He opens with “Just Let It” a song he wrote with his guitarist, Trent Baarspul, sporting a strong vocal chorus, with a ‘hook’ that sings, “Let it get into you.” He will have you singing along and patting your foot to the groove.

Track two is called “Smoke Me Out,” another soulful tune.  Lawson vocally reminds me a wee bit of Al Jarreau in his early days. Not so much the vocal styling, but in the way he writes and delivers songs from the heart.  Jarrod tells a short story with his lyrics, talking about neighborhoods, racial issues, class systems, and the need for peace and love in our lives. His music is well-written and well-produced.  The drummer on this track, Tamuz Dolev, is strong and sets the groove. The horn lines emphasize the funk, with a keyboard solo at the end that’s impressive though brief. I was pleasantly surprised to read in the liner notes that it is Jarrod Lawson on keyboard.

“Do Whatchu Gotta” is another tune that’s tightly cemented into the soul genre.  As Lawson prepares for a world tour and appearance at the North Sea Jazz Festival and in the UK in July at Union Chapel, he will be promoting his first single off this album titled, “If We Pretend (Where is the Love).”

On his tune “Let Your Heart” there is a special appearance by JSWISS who adds his rap to the mix and the soprano improvised vocals are stellar along with all the background singers that include: Tony Ozier, Saeeda Wright, Arietta Ward, and Nafisaria Matthews. Also featured on this tune are the multi-talents of CARRTOONS. CARRTOONS and JSWISS are special guests on the song, “I’ll Do It Again.”

Guest vocalist, Eric Roberson is featured on “Laugh at Yourself” where the guitar of Noah Pierre is king. This is funk at its best! It made me want to get up and dance across my listening room. Multi-talented Jarrod Lawson provides the funky drum groove. This is a party tune and production.  Every song on his album has a strong groove and hypnotic rhythms, well-written lyrics, and Jarrod Lawson has a voice that’s butter, soaring from rich baritone to smooth tenor tones.

Not to mention, Lawson’s a multi-instrumentalist.  On the tune “Gentle Soul” that Jarrod and Noah Pierre wrote, Lawson shines on piano playing a jazzy, improvised solo. The background singers repeat “Never Knew a Love Like This” and then burst into harmonic, angelic voices on the sweet fade. Raquel Rodriguez is another special guest who sings on “Next Move” and duets with Jarrod Lawson. It’s a refreshing, wonderfully arranged song.

The arrangement of “There Can Only Be One” features Allen Stone on acoustic guitar and vocals. It’s arranged with a modern gospel feel. The groove skips along freely, like an arrangement by Baby Face or a tune that Kirk Franklin is directing.

With fourteen tunes on this album, I would expect one or two to be mediocre.  But no!  Every song on this album is strong. Most could be single releases. Jarrod Lawson has either composed or co-written every tune.  Impressive!

JARROD LAWSON BAND:  Jarrod Lawson, vocals/composer/producer/keyboards/percussion/ bass/guitars; Trent Baarspul, guitar/bass/percussion; Tamuz Dolev, drums/percussion; Jans Ingber, congas/percussion; Noah Pierre, bass/drums; Dolan Natanel Bergman & Andre Zapata, bass; Peter Knudsen, guitar; Sam Brawner, drums/sequencing/composer; Andris Mattson, synthesizers/ composer; Tyrone Hendrix & David James, drums; Trevor Larkin, electric guitar; Max Ribner, trumpet/flugelhorn; BACKGROUND VOCALS: Tony Ozier, Saeeda Wright, Arietta Ward, and Nafisaria Matthews. SPECIAL GUESTS: CARRTOONS, bass/guitar/keyboards/drums/vocals; JSWISS, rap vocals; Raquel Rodriquez, lead vocals/songwriter; Allen Stone, vocals/acoustic guitar; donSMITH, Rap vocals.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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