So, here’s the deal: on March 8th of this year the jazz group Snarky Puppy and some special guests got together at the Jefferson Center in Roanoke, Virginia to record a series of live audio and video performances to benefit the important musical work of the center (they provide music education and recording space for local children). That’s the story behind Family Dinner, an album of jazz, blues, gospel, R&B and soul that features eight tracks (with many more performances available on the accompanying DVD) that are wholly original while being rooted in a musical tradition that sounds familiar on the very first listen. Each and every guest vocalist adds their own flair to the occasion (my favorite track right now is “Amour T’es La”, not a word of which I understand…), and this is the rare album where there is something for everyone without any hint of pandering to the masses. And as if to prove the point that great music is still appreciated, the album debuted at #1 on the iTunes Jazz chart. Stream a couple tracks below (including “Amour T’es La”) and get the album for yourself here. Highly Recommended.
http://grooveonfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/04_Amour-Tes-La.mp3Listen: Snarky Puppy – “Amour T’es La (with Magda Giannikou)
http://grooveonfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/02_Gone-Under.mp3Listen: Snarky Puppy – “Gone Under (with Shayna Steele)”