For those not in the know, on her latest album for Le Coq Records, Andy James captures the vibrant tempo and exhilarating thrills always unfolding in the thoroughfares of the city that never sleeps.

Rhythm in New York (out May 6th, 2022) features a stunning mix of classic standards and original music inspired by life in Manhattan. As has become standard for Le Coq releases, the album boasts an unparalleled line-up of in-demand musicians, all of who have captivated audiences on the bandstands of New York and beyond.

James’ key collaborator on Rhythm in New York is John Patitucci, who not only graces every track with his virtuosic bass playing but co-wrote several tunes with James and his daughter, singer-songwriter Greisun.

They are joined by pianist Jon Cowherd, drummers Nate Smith and Marcus Gilmore, saxophonists Chris Potter and Marcus Strickland, trumpeter Terell Stafford, flutist David Mann, guitarists Adam Rogers and Chico Pinheiro, and percussionists Alex Acuña and Rogerio Boccato.

Additionally, Cowherd and Patitucci collectively arranged all 15 songs on the album. While Patitucci has been a key member of the Le Coq family since its launch, he and James furthered their collaboration last year with the collaborative outing An Evening with John Patitucci & Andy James, which inaugurated the singer’s venture into original compositions.

“Although I’ve always loved the songs of the past - who wouldn’t? - I thought it was time to express myself more as a writer of music on this album”, James explains. “I feel it’s necessary to convey my sentiments in music so I can grow further as a singer and musician.”

“My collaboration with John Patitucci and his daughter Greisun has been an enormous pleasure for me. They are so talented and always know what I’m looking for; which I’m sure is helped by their family bond.”

1. I’m Gonna Live Till I Die (feat. Marcus Strickland & Nate Smith)
2. Day Dream (feat. Chris Potter)
3. Walk On By (feat. Jon Cowherd)
4. Time To Think (feat. John Patitucci)
5. El Ritmo (feat. Chris Potter)
6. I Can’t Stop Loving You (feat. Jon Cowherd)
7. What The World Needs Now (feat. Chris Potter & Jon Cowherd)
8. Think Of Me (feat. Christ Potter & Adam Rogers)
9. People (feat. Marcus Strickland, Jon Cowherd & Adam Rogers)
10. When I Look In Your Eyes (feat. Chris Potter, Marcus Strickland & Adam Rogers)
11. The Best Is Yet To Come (feat. Chris Potter)
12. This Girl’s In Love With You (feat. Marcus Strickland)
13. There Will Never Be Another You (feat. Chris Potter)
14. I’ll Be Seeing You (feat. Chico Pinheird & Chris Potter)
15. Just In Time (feat. Chris Potter & Jon Cowherd)

This delightfully artful and musically cognitive to its surroundings album opens on the big dream aspirations found within I’m Gonna Live Till I Die and the orchestrally stunning balladry of Day Dream and backs those up seamlessly with the low slung Walk On By, the dreamy ambiance of Time To Think, the finger-snapping vibes of El Ritmo, and then we get the dulcet musical musings found within both I Can’t Stop Loving You and the subtle, albeit it atmospherically-layered What The World Needs Now.

Up next is one of my own personal favorites from this quite breathtaking ambient new album, the gentle Mediterranean hipsway of Think Of Me and then the Cleo Laine-esque People and they are in turn backed by the soft textures of When I Look In Your Eyes, the gently forthright overtones of The Best Is Yet To Come, the melodic mastery of This Girl’s In Love With You, with the album rounding out with the upbeat swirls and twirls of There Will Never Be Another You, the pensive balladry of I’ll Be Seeing You, coming to a close on the delightfully jaunty piano ballad instrumental Just In Time.

Speaking of family bonds, James’ other co-writer on Rhythm in New York is her husband and dance partner, Le Coq founder Piero Pata, who contributed to two new pieces on the album, Time To Think and Just In Time. As James explains, “Working with Piero has really been easy. Wherever I am, he seems to catch and remember the melodies that I’ve been casually humming around the house and later brings them to me with lyrics already attached. It makes a great start for a song. Of course, then I sink my teeth into them and change just enough to make it me.”

In writing as well as selecting songs for the album, James thought back over the many memorable visits she’s enjoyed to New York City, stretching back to childhood trips with her parents, who would occasionally travel to the States on business and bring their artistic daughter along.

As an adult she would return often to soak in the nightlife and take in the influences that helped forge her own singing style.

“My first walk in Central Park in the snow will always be a highlight,” James recalls. “I will never forget the colors of Times Square at night, the people swarming all over the place with excitement, the magnitude of the shows on offer on every street. I would wander for hours finding one exciting nook and cranny after another to enjoy musicians. Whether at Birdland Jazz Club or the Village Vanguard, there was always someone special to admire.”

Rhythm in New York spotlights a wide variety of moods and styles, while showcasing the jaw-dropping musicianship of the assembled artists. James so admires her collaborators that in at least one instance – her and Pata’s own Just In Time – she decided to remove her vocals altogether and let the band shine on their own.

But throughout, from the enticing, Bossa-inflected opener “There Will Never Be Another You,” through the lush original ballad “Day Dream” and the Flamenco-inspired “El Ritmo,” to the wistful farewell of “I’ll Be Seeing You,” James finds endless inspiration in her adoration for the city.

“I tried to capture my feelings when I was younger, to convey my impressions traveling to this great city,” she explains. “New York is a city of love in many ways, and its people have proved this on countless occasions. The beauty of the seasons always leaves me breathless. It has so many musical tastes for anybody to enjoy: R&B, pop, opera, musical comedy, and of course my favorite, jazz. It is one of my favorite places on Earth.”

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