Jose James 1978

José James in Portugal to perform new album '1978' live

José James, the internationally acclaimed jazz singer of the hip-hop generation, has just released his 12th studio album, '1978' on Rainbow Blonde Records. '1978' is named after the year James was born and features collaborations with rising Brazilian star and recent Latin Grammy nominee Xênia França, as well as Congolese-Belgian rapper/filmmaker Baloji. The new album successfully captures the sounds of the 1970s, an era where jazz, soul, disco and hip-hop merged and filled the glittering nightclubs. 

Five years in the making, '1978' emerges as James' most autobiographical work to date, pulsing with the socially conscious partisan and political vibes of the 70s. The disc's "Saturday Night (Need You Now)" and "Planet Nine" invite listeners to escape to the dance floor, while "For Trayvon" is a balanced tribute to Trayvon Martin. "38th & Chicago" expresses James' indignation and grief over the murder of George Floyd. Despite its catchy beat and chorus, the lyrics comprise an impressive and moving protest anthem, with a title that references the Minneapolis intersection where George Floyd was murdered, just a few blocks from where James grew up. James is emerging as a leader in today's global black music through collaborations such as "Dark Side Of The Sun" with Baloji and "Place of Worship" with Xenia França. In recent international reviews of '1978', Record Collector compares James to a "Johnny Hartman-style singer for the hip-hop era", while Echoes praises his "sexy Marvin-style swell" on "Black Orpheus [Don't Look Back] ."

James premiered '1978' live earlier this year at the Music Hall of Williamsburg as part of the NYC Winter Jazz Fest. He performs in New York for a week-long residency at the Blue Note Jazz Club and from this spring, foreign fans will be able to see him at esteemed venues across Europe, including Portugal.

Promoter: UGURU