Amongst the current crop of leading contemporary jazz artists Jonathan Butler is perhaps the most difficult to categorize. His music variously displays his Cape Town roots, the strength of his religious faith, his skill as a smooth jazz guitarist and sometimes the genuine soul in his voice. For his latest project, ‘So Strong, which comes at the end of a difficult year in which he lost both his mother and his close friend Wayman Tisdale, Butler has come roaring back with what is arguably his most soulful album to date.
The optimistic motif that blesses the entire collection is never better demonstrated than with the Al Jarreau like ‘Feels So Good’ for which Butler is in fine vocal form. It is a tune graced with subtle trumpet from Rick Braun and when Braun teams with sax-man Michael Lington they provide a velvety foundation to the emotionally charged ‘You Got To Believe In Something’.
Although now domiciled in Los Angeles, Jonathan Butler is never too far from his South African heritage. He uses ‘I Pay Respect’ as a tribute to his homeland and the people who over the years have influenced him. The personal nature of the message that the song conveys comes shining through and much the same can be said for the deliciously mid tempo ‘Avia / For My Baby’ where Butler on electric guitar takes centre stage. The number is dedicated to his grand-daughter and although he writes or co-writes nine of the ten great tracks Butler still reserves a place for a cool cover of the timeless ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ where not for the only time he is at his poignant best.
Butler notches down the intensity for the melodic ‘Good Times’ and in a seamless change of mood uses ‘Color Green’ to carve out his own edgy interpretation of how a romantic ballad should sound. Already charging up the chart of most played on smooth jazz radio, the spicily Latin ‘Make Room For Me’ is flecked with understated sax from Dave Koz whilst elsewhere ‘Factual’ shimmers with a languid urban groove and is injected with the soul drenched zest that Butler’s vocals routinely bring.
It proves, if indeed proof was needed, that ‘So Strong’ is all about the soul of Jonathan Butler and a further case in point is ‘I’m Right Here’ where he delivers as fine an example of tender R & B as will be found anywhere. The backing vocals of his daughters Randy and Jodie are entirely on the money while even more soulful is the heartfelt ‘Be Here With You’ that finds Butler in a sumptuous duet with the wonderful Angie Stone. Quickly attaining ‘soul factor 10’ and then staying there, it is a clear Smooth Jazz Therapy favourite yet another is the sensational title cut. Despite the fact ‘Urban AC’ and ‘Steppers’ mixes are also included there is nothing to touch the easy grooving ‘original’ version that has a vibe to die for and is without doubt one of the best tracks of the year so far.
Starting June 17 Butler will be on the road with Dave Koz for the twenty date ‘Together Again Tour’ when he will feature songs from ‘So Strong’ and pull out a few gems from his considerable back catalogue.
For more go to www.jonathanbutler.com
