Music review: Ben Williams – 鈥楥oming of Age鈥�
I was recently inspired to listen to more jazz-flavored albums after catching saxophonist Dave Koz perform a lively set as the opening act for Barry Manilow鈥檚 final tour.
While I have a number of go-to albums from jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk that I break out when I鈥檓 in the mood to relax on the back porch and escape the stress of a hectic day, I鈥檓 always looking for the next gifted artist to come along and surprise me.
Fortunately, it was a very short search to add a new album to my collection. Ben Williams flawlessly offers an intoxicating mixture of contemporary jazz, R&B, pop and a sprinkle of hip-hop on his sophomore release. 鈥淐oming of Age鈥� is a detailed piece of work that vibrantly illustrates the accomplished bassist鈥檚 musical growth through the ability to translate life experiences into his music.
Winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition Award in 2009 at the age of 24, Williams first demonstrated his tremendous talent on his critically acclaimed debut 鈥淪tate of Art鈥� in 2011. Williams is accompanied once again by the talented musicians of Sound Effect to help create an engaging musical texture infused with diversity and adventure.
Williams is also joined by vibraphonist Stefon Harris on the sophisticated groove of 鈥淭he Color of My Dreams,鈥� trumpeter Christian Scott on a cover of Lianne La Havas鈥� 鈥淟ost & Found鈥� and emcee and poet W. Ellington Felton adding to the powerful imagery of 鈥淭oy Soldiers.鈥�
Other highlights include songstress Goapele lending her beautiful vocals to a soulful tribute to Nelson Mandela on 鈥淰oice of Freedom (For Mandela)鈥� and Williams鈥� solo bass interpretation of Nirvana鈥檚 鈥淪mells Like Teen Spirit鈥� that I鈥檓 sure Dave Grohl would simply love. Williams鈥� style will appeal to both jazz and non-jazz audiences.
鈥淐oming of Age鈥� is the perfect start for creating an intimate mood for a quiet dinner for two or the ideal way to effortlessly recharge your batteries after a long day.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at crhodes@heraldstandard.com.