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Jose James: No Begining No End
By Track review of "Sword + Gun feat. Hindi Zahra"Like fellow Blue Note recording artist Robert Glasper, who also contributes to James' label debut, the singer has successfully created a release that reflects his culture and diversity as revealed in the track "Sword + Gun," featuring Moroccan singer Hindi Zahra. Its hypnotism is interwoven with North African-flavored percussion, harmonized hand claps, and tight horn vamps driven by a smooth drum and bass beat. From conception to completion, the piece evolved in about six hours in a Paris studio with Zahra and James adding ingenious music touches and lyrics that include peaceful anti-war sentiments:
Lay down your sword and gun
Lay down your soldier's arms
You don't want to die
So far from home.
When performed live, the vibe is even more persuasive, as the music, vocals, and hand-claps give the song an added dimension that's hard to deny..
Track Listing
It's All Over Your Body, Sword + Gun (feat. Hindi Zahra), Trouble, Vanguard, Come To My Door, Heaven On The Ground (feat. Emily King), Do You Feel, Make It Right, Bird Of Space, No Beginning No End, Tomorrow, Come To My Door (Acoustic Version) [Bonus Track])
Personnel
José James
vocalsRobert Glasper: piano, Fender Rhodes; Grant Windsor: piano, Kris Bowers: piano; Pino Palladino: bajo; Emily King: guitarra, voz, arreglos; Corey King: trombón; Takuya Kuroda: trompeta; Jeremy Most: guitarra; Richard Spaven: batería; Chris Dave: batería; Hindi Zahra: voz.
Album information
Title: No Beginning No End | Year Released: 2013 | Record Label: Blue Note Records
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