For those unaware, Many Rivers (released via Truth Revolution Records Collective) is the effervescent trio debut from vocalist Lauren Scales, saxophonist Mike Flanagan, and pianist Chris Grasso — three acclaimed artists from divergent backgrounds united by creative chemistry.

Due August 8th, 2025 on Truth Revolution Recording Collective, the album features a soul-stirring program of seven covers and two originals by Scales, brought to life with support from Grammy-winning bassist Luques Curtis and first-call drummers Richie Barshay and Charles Haynes.

The project bridges geography and identity: Scales oscillates between New York and the Midwest, while Flanagan and Grasso are both rooted in Provincetown, MA — a longtime haven for LGBTQ+ creatives. Scales, a Detroit native and 2016 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition finalist, describes her mission as crafting music that’s “uplifting, poetic, emotionally honest — and accessible across genres and generations.”

1. Spanish Joint
2. Play Me
3. You Know Who (I Mean You)
4. But Beautiful
5. Star Eyes
6. Many Rivers To Cross
7. Never Will I Marry
8. Find A Way
9. Saving Grace

On this fully democratic, trio-led debut, the set opens on the wistful, at first, bountiful latterly Spanish Joint (a D’Angelo’s cut from 2000) and is followed by an aching yearn that threads through Neil Diamond’s 1972 masterpiece Play Me, the sprightly You Know Who (I Mean You) (Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins, and Jon Hendricks) and then we are brought forth the lonesome ode of the Jimmy Van Heusen ballad But Beautiful and the joyful Star Eyes (Gene de Paul and Don Raye).

Continuing to deliver soulful, fresh vocal takes on a surprising selection of songs, along next is an impassioned Jimmy Cliff cut Many Rivers To Cross which is in turn backed seamlessly by the frenetically cultured Never Will I Marry (Nancy Wilson/Cannonball Adderley), the music rounding out on two Scales originals: the emotive Find A Way, coming to a close on the heartfelt Saving Grace.

Lauren Scales @ Facebook

www.mikemrf.com

www.chrisgrassomusic.com