Can't get enough of that funky stuff. José James reveals plans for his next album

Jose James takes to the stage for one night only at London’s Ronnie Scott's tonight. The show sold out in two days, but he hopes to be back for the EFG London Jazz Festival this November. His recent release for Blue Note Records was produced by the top man himself, Blue Note president Don Was, and featured extensively on Jazz FM. It’s a fitting tribute to his “musical mother” Billie Holiday in her centenary year called ‘Yesterday I Had The Blues: The Music Of Billie Holiday’. The album was recorded at Sear Sound in New York City  with a trio featuring Jazz FM Award nominee, pianist Jason Moran, drummer Eric Harland and bass player John Patitucci.

Speaking with Nigel Williams today Jose told of his plans for a Spring 2016 Blue Note release, again produced by Don Was, that sees him dig into the record company archives for an r&b album that builds on samples from the catalogue from the 1960s and ‘70s.

“The really funky stuff, kind of going back to my roots because I discovered jazz through hip hop samples so now I want to go back and sample some Donald Byrd, Ronnie Laws and people like that. There’s just tons of stuff,” he said.

Asked if there were plans for another hook up with Italian producer Nicola Conte he said, “Yeah I saw him in Tokyo and he wants to collaborate on something. He’s such a great producer, he really hears the whole thing, he really knows how to produce vocalists, honestly, he just gets inside this space and sets it up for you. Plus, you get to go to Bari and the food’s amazing!"