Title - 'Solid'
Artist - Boney James
Solid is four-time GRAMMY nominated saxophonist Boney James' seventeenth album as a leader and will be released by Concord Records, April 17th, 2020.
The highly anticipated Solid follows up his smash 2017 release Honestly which became his eleventh #1 Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album.
Sometimes, inspiration is slow in coming, evasive and stubborn. Other times, if an artist is very fortunate, it simply flows, the music practically writing itself.
That’s how Solid, the latest release from Boney James came to be. “This record really flowed at an unusually quick pace,” Boney says. “There was a lot of positive energy in making this music. Solid is a very upbeat record. As I was writing them, these songs put a smile on my face.”
Featuring eleven original songs and inclusive of R&B star Kenny Lattimore on the single 'Be Here,' the record is an uplifting collection of the highest order, that's for sure.
"This new music is a reaction to how stressful the world feels these days," Boney continues. "Music is a respite, it’s always ‘solid’ and it never lets me down."
1. 'Full Effect'
2. 'Solid'
3. 'The Bottom Line'
4. 'Luna'
5. 'On The Path'
6. 'Be Here' (feat. Kenny Lattimore)
7. 'Tonic'
8. 'Just So'
9. 'Fresh Air'
10. 'Sundance'
11. 'Last Train Home'
All of Solid’s eleven tracks were produced and written or co-written by James with three songs — 'Full Effect,' 'Tonic' and the title track — were built from licks played at sound-check by touring guitarist Kendall Gilder on the road in support of Honestly.
"I said, hey, what’s that riff you’re playing?” Boney recalls, “And Kendall said, ‘that’s just something I’m messing around with.’ I got my iPhone and recorded them, then took it home and wrote the songs!”
Four other songs were initiated by longtime James collaborator, acclaimed writer/producer Jairus ‘J-Mo’ Mozee (Anderson Paak, Nicki Minaj, Anthony Hamilton). One of those, 'Be Here,' was ultimately transformed into Solid’s Adult Urban single featuring special guest Kenny Lattimore; best known for his Top 10 R&B hit 'For You.'
The album opens with the lush, drum-led 'Full Effect' which Boney backs up seamlessly with the lavishly layered title track 'Solid,' the seductive 'The Bottom Line,' and then one of my own personal favorites here, the opulent majesty of 'Luna.'
Next up is the beautiful balladeer work of 'On The Path' which is followed by both the sumptuous R&B flow of 'Be Here' (featuring Kenny Lattimore), and then the jazz funk vibe of 'Tonic.'
Then comes the palatial crispness of 'Just So' which is backed by the thoughtful approach and free flowing techniques employed within 'Fresh Air,' the finger-snappin' beat of 'Sundance,' and then comes to a close with the beating jazz heart of 'Last Train Home.'
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