This is a somewhat special First Look for RubyHornet. The column, which has run on Mondays since our inception, usually highlights very, how do you say, up and coming artists. Many of them have been without a proper debut record, ones we’ve seen on blogs and websites, those that who’s buzz has been building on the e-streets and/or the streets of Chicago. Today’s First Look is different not only that is it our first one featuring a Jazz musician, but also in that Jose James, while perhaps new to our audience, is on his third release, a recently dropped album entitled For All We Know on Impulse Records. That LP follows up the re-release of Blackmagic, a fantastic LP that caught our attention and thus propelled this First Look. While the title may conjure up images of brewing pots, gypsy spells, and vodoo dolls, the title means something different to James who told us, “I literally mean the magic of Black people and the power of music and culture.”
Coming to music at a late age, James was inspired by the works on Blue Note, his recording home Impulse, A Tribe Quest and De La Soul. For James, being a performer is a dream come true, one from which he does not hope to awaken anytime soon. “I listen really obsessively to whatever I’m working on,” he said. “There are so many steps – writing, recording, editing, mixing, mastering. After all that you make it live, which is completely different – you are living your own material and performing it night after night. When it’s so internalized, you don’t need to listen anymore, because it is you.”
Keep reading to learn more about Jose James and his music in this new RH First Look.
RubyHornet: You are constantly moving in between genres, bending the boundaries of contemporary urban music. Do you classify yourself today or is there no point?
Jose James: Both. I am a Jazz singer who likes a lot of different music. The original concept of Modern Jazz was just about keeping it fresh and relevant – progressing. And that’s what people like Flying Lotus, Benga, Four Tet, and Taylor McFerrin are doing, so I’m with that. But there’s no point in classifying music really – we listen to what we like now. Meaning it’s classified by your personal taste more and more.
RubyHornet: Artists are asked all the time whether they pre-write, or let the mood take over, and many times we get the response, ‘I let the music guide me.’ My question for you is, after you get that vibe and music is taking you to a space, is there a point when you do step back and think about how to make this vibe make sense?
Jose James: I think at every step in the process it’s wise to let the music guide you, then you rework everything as needed. I believe that many hands make good music, so getting feedback and viewpoints from other people is essential. The final ingredient is the audience – if people aren’t feeling it live, it needs improvement, rewriting, or to be put back on the shelf. I’m making music that connects with people.
RubyHornet: The new record Blackmagic seems to be a more contemporary effort compared to your previous work, what thought process did you take to reconsider the direction your music was going for the sophomore release?
Jose James: Gilles and I knew the second album would be more soulful, and I wanted to explore my love for the music of Al Green, Leon Ware, and Marvin Gaye. At the same time through “The Dreamer” I had come to the attention of different producers and was playing more and more on the international club scene, so I connected with people like that and started trying things. It was a natural progression.
RubyHornet: What LPs directly have effected the way you approach your own LP creation? What is your consensus on concept albums, compilations, etc.?
Jose James: I like the Miles Davis approach – maximum spontaneity. Kind of Blue and A Love Supreme were recorded in one session. What’s Going On in 10 days. I think there’s something to just getting down to it and recording that feels real and one of a kind. That said, there’s room for lots of preparation in terms of material and life expression. If you don’t have good songs there’s nothing to be fresh on.
RubyHornet: What music did you start listening to as a child? Were you musically inclined in any ways that stood out as a child?
Jose James: Mostly lots of peaceful protest folk music like Peter, Paul, and Mary. My mom had a few Ohio Players and Jimi Hendrix albums but I found those way later. I was more into sports and creative writing – music sort of came late which can be cool in a way, you have to want it more I think.
RubyHornet: Who or what gave you the push to consider a recording career?
Jose James: Well the music itself. I loved seeing all those Blue Note, Prestige, and finally Impulse albums. I loved getting the new De La, or Tribe, or Digable Planets or Ice Cube. Being a performer was, and is, for me the coolest thing in the world to be and it drew me in. Now to be on Impulse is a dream come true.
RubyHornet: You seem to be very adamant that you hope Jazz becomes more wide spread commercially the same way Hip Hop is today. Why do you think the indie culture has become popular yet leaves out the music that sets the scene for the culture?
Jose James: I just want to make good music and do my best not to think about scenes or boundaries. I just create and investigate what feels good to me. I also think that “Jazz” means different things to lots of people – Madlib loves Jazz and is doing fresh things. Esperanza Spaulding is dope. Jazz is our music.
RubyHornet: With the success of The Dreamer, was it hard for you to change your format when you know you already won with your debut?
Jose James: I’m always gonna change because I need to push myself. To make another Dreamer record is impossible, so you open yourself to the next step of creation. People are asking the same about the difference between BLACKMAGIC and For All We Know, but you don’t expect writers to keep writing the same book over and over again, right? Hopefully people are fans of what I’m saying and will allow me the time and journey to experiment and grow.
RubyHornet: How often do you listen to your own material? Does it help inspire your future creations? I’m interested because of how diverse your taste is…
Jose James: I listen really obsessively to whatever I’m working on…. There are so many steps – writing, recording, editing, mixing, mastering. After all that you make it live, which is completely different – you are living your own material and performing it night after night. When it’s so internalized, you don’t need to listen anymore, because it is you.
RubyHornet: What is Blackmagic to you? It’s seen as a negative practice in most places but does it take on a new title with your album?
Jose James: I literally mean the magic of Black people and the power of music and culture.
RubyHornet: In the title track you sing, “on to arrive at the very beginning of where we started.” Where do you wish to arrive in music with the release of the record?
Jose James: Basically it refers to the journey of Black people in America through time and space, through the Middle Passage, Civil War, the Industrial Age, to the Information Age. Music kept the people culturally connected and communicating and it always will. As long as I’m reaching people and helping in some way I feel I’m in the right place with my music.
