When I reviewed Bob Baldwin’s current CD ‘NewUrbanJazz.com’ I described it as redefining the genre and legitimizing R & B tinged vocals within smooth jazz. It has proved to be one of the highlights of the year and, with no less than five Grammy nominations, is now gaining the praise it so richly deserves.
As well as being recognized in the categories of ‘Album of The Year’ and ‘Best R & B Album’, ‘NewUrbanJazz.com’ is also being considered for three of its sixteen choice tracks. In fact the selections are a tribute to the skill that Baldwin routinely shows in involving featured artists who really deliver. In the running for ‘Best R & B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals’ is ‘Seems Like One Of Those Daze’ which features the smoky vocal of Tyrone Ellis while in the category of ‘Best Urban / Alternative Performance’ is the hip hop infused ‘Don’t Keep Me Waiting’ with a moody rap from Asoulborn. Perhaps best of all and in the category of ‘Best Traditional R & B Vocal Performance’ is the wonderful ‘Somebody Else’s Guy’ for which Jocelyn Brown provides the vocal. The nomination clearly vindicates Baldwin’s decision to take Brown’s seminal 1984 breakthrough hit, give it a New Urban Jazz makeover and then invite Brown, in enchantingly understated mode, to take the lead. Jocelyn’s sister, Annette, who co-wrote the song with her, features on backing vocals and the entire track is a joyous delight from tenderly soulful beginning to groove driven end.
For more on Bob Baldwin and his nuGroove label-mates go to www.thenugroove.com