Gregory Porter – Take Me To The Alley

May 13, 2016 / No Comments / Tags: Alicia Olatuja, Chip Crawford, Emanuel Harrold, Gregory Porter, Kenyon Harrold, Lalah Hathaway, Ondrej Pivec, Tivon Pennicott, Yosuke Sato

(Blue Note)


Every new Gregory Porter production seems to be becoming a much anticipated event. Take Me To The Alley is definitely an event that turns out to be well worth the wait. Porter, with the help of co-producer Kamau Kenyatta, takes on the various aspects of love, but also finds a way into presenting social and spiritual matters without losing sight of the aesthetic of story in song. The writing is as exquisite as any of his previous works, as is the vocal work. The voices of Alicia Olataju is the perfect complement to Porter’s on several tunes on the effort. Backing the words are the talents of pianist Chip Crawford, bassist Aaron James, drummer Emanuel Harrold, alto saxophonist Yosuke Sato, and tenor saxophonist Tivon Pennicott. Trumpeter Keyon Harrold and organist Ondrej Pivec guest on various tunes. Porter delivers yet another masterful work with this recording.

Click to listen to a clip of “Fan The Flames”:


Tracks: Holding On, Don’t Lose Your Steam, Day Dream, Consequence of Love, In Fashio, More Than A Women, In Heaven, Insanity, Don’t Be A Fool, Fan The Flames, French African Queen.

Website: GregoryPorter.com