Tyreek McDole CHROMA
TYREEK McDOLE
CHROMA
Artwork Records
Tyreek McDole, vocals/percussion; Emmanuel Michael, guitar; Michael King, piano/Fender Rhodes/prophet/organ; Brandon Rose, upright bass; Joe Dyson, drums/percussion; Akili Bradley, trumpet; Theo Croker, percussion/samples/programming; Marcelo de Lamare, samples/synths/programming.
This album is one of the more interesting jazz albums I’ve reviewed this year. “Chroma” translates to the purity, intensity and saturation of a color. It’s a word that measures how either vivid or dull something looks. This musical achievement is anything but dull! Tyreek McDole and his producer, Theo Croker, offer us jazz tradition wrapped in a contemporary package, like a shiny Christmas gift.
This is Tyreek’s second album release. His 2025 debut “Open Up Your Senses” introduced his original vocals to the world, as well as his percussion abilities.
On this new recording I enjoy more of his vocal style and abilities. He embraces his past, but steps into his present place of mind. This album gives clues to his musical future. It takes time and development to establish a style and perspective as an artist. McDole sings those big full notes that he can hold similar to a Gregory Porter style. But he also has a tenderness and emotional voice. It shows distinctively on this new album, especially on his Nina Simone tribute during the tune “Wild is the Wind.”
Tyreek’s baritone voice is like a potion, a balm, velvet smooth and just as warm. His voice is believable. When he sings the word wind, he blows air through the microphone. For this journalist, “Chroma” represents a huge step into his artistry as a jazz vocalist. The video of this tune has him playing the piano, and that accompaniment is fresh and interesting.
On this recording, McDole and producer Croker have assembled friends and musicians with big ears and young energy. Croker blends studio techniques to juxtapose a more modern jazz approach to the music. It made me open my ears and my mind, listening to this album twice and surprised by Tyreek McDole’s vocal range. I didn’t recognize him on a tune called “She’s Alive.” His range from baritone to tenor is shocking. He sounds like a completely different vocalist.
The bass of Brandon Rose is featured brightly during this arrangement of the 2003 hit from Hip Hop super group “Outkast.” They reinvent it with thick echoes on McDole’s voice and a fresh style. The doubling of the artist’s voice with unison octaves enhances the “hook” of the song. It’s an interesting effect that elevates the lyrical value of this hip hop composition, at the same time celebrating womanhood. The lyrics invite reflection.
This is an obvious merge of styles. Croker and McDole are baking a new jazzy cake, with hip hop sugar sprinkled into the traditional jazz batter. His “Live at Jazz in Marciac Festival” video of 2025 gives a peek into what we now hear on this new recording. However, the current production has grown from these roots.
Another of my favorites on this new album is a song called “Confession” that embraces synthesizer loops and McDole’s free form scatting.
The “Blue in Green” composition of Bill Evans is refurbished with splashes of yellow and brown, sunshine and earth, a camouflage of colors. His voice is the paint brush, swishing back and forth like a cool breeze against the blue and green of field and sky.
McDole is also a creative arranger. His voice is full of range and power. Sometimes his tone reminds me of LA’s great jazz vocalist, Dwight Trible.
This is a male jazz vocalist to celebrate and support. He is one who can carry the smooth tradition of a Billy Eckstein or Joe Williams to the next level, also embracing the influence of Al Jarreau and Bobby McFerrin, Tyreek McDole ultimately creates his own unique sound.
Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil
