Time Traveler (Origin Records)
Nnenna Freelon
Released May 21, 2021
Grammy Nominee for Best Jazz Vocal Album 2022
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_na_TGVLhZagRyrXgs7EmaNsNR5FYkDT5c
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About:
Multi-Grammy nominated vocal artist Nnenna Freelon is back, delivering her eleventh album after a decade-long hiatus from the studio. With Time Traveler, she offers a celebration of love and a prayer of hope for those living with loss. The sessions for the album stretched over two years, between 2018 and 2020, coinciding with the loss of Freelon’s soulmate and husband of forty years, Phil Freelon, to ALS. Freelon draws from her & Phil’s shared love of jazz and rhythm and blues, to step through an imagined doorway where past, present and future collide. From the album’s centerpiece, a medley of Marvin Gaye classics, to standards such as “Come Rain or Come Shine” and “Moon River,” or her self-penned title song, Freelon reminds us of the grace and elegance that naturally accompanies her approach to interpreting melody. Inspired by her emotive glances to the past, and soulful presence in the here and now, she paints a portrait of reverence and gratitude for the gift of love that permeates every aspect of the human condition.
Track Listing:
1. I Say a Little Prayer 5:07
2. Marvin Medley: If This World Were Mine / Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing / Ain’t No Mountain High Enough 6:05
3. Just You 5:32
4. Betcha By Golly Wow 4:54
5. Time in a Bottle 6:59
6. You Make Me Feel Brand New 5:06
7. Moon River 5:57
8. Time After Time 4:58
9. Come Rain or Come Shine 4:49
10. Time Traveler 4:30
11. Time Traveler (Reprise) 3:18
Personnel:
Nnenna Freelon: vocals
Miki Hayama: piano (1,3,5,7,8), Fender Rhodes (2,4,9), synthesizer (2,8)
Chuckey Robinson: keyboards (10,11)
Brandon McCune: Hammond organ (1,3)
Keith Ganz: guitar (2-6,8-11)
Noah Jackson: acoustic bass (1,3-5,7,9)
Gerald Veasley: electric bass (2,8)
Lance Scott: electric bass (10,11)
E.J. Strickland: drums (1,3-5,7,9)
Adonis Rose: drums (2,8)
Jon Curry: drums (10,11)
Beverly Botsford: percussion (2,4,8)
Trineice Robinson-Martin: background vocal (1)
Kirk Whalum: tenor saxophone, flute (4)
Shana Tucker: cello (5)
Recorded March 13-15, 2018, August 20, 2020 and September 3, 2020, at Overdub Lane Durham, NC, and October 24, 2019, at Manifold Studios Pittsboro, NC
Produced by Nnenna Freelon
Musical Director: Miki Hayama
Recording Engineers: Jason Richmond (1-6,8-11), Ian Schreier (1,3-5,7,9) Tom Tedesco (1-3,8), John Plymale (2,8)
Mixing and Additional Production by Jason Richmond at Slipstream Studios, Hillsborough, NC
Mastered by Kim Rosen at Knack Mastering, Ringwood, NJ
Cover Design & Layout: John Bishop
Photography: Chris Charles
Review:
Vocalist Nnenna Freelon has always had a powerful instrument, but rarely, if ever, has she employed that voice in such an intimate way. Freelon recorded Time Traveler following the loss of her husband, Phil, an accomplished architect who led the design of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. On Time Traveler, the Grammy-winner wastes no time in grabbing your attention and pulling you in close. Freelon takes us to church with one of the most riveting versions of “Say A Little Prayer For You” that these ears have ever heard. Her vocals are pure, powerful magic. She pays tribute to her lost love throughout the 11-tune program with such songs as “Betcha By Golly Wow,” featuring a beautiful saxophone solo by Kirk Whalum, and Jim Croce’s “Time In A Bottle,” given an interesting arrangement by Miki Hayama. She ruminates over old chestnuts like “Moon River,” “Time After Time” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” which certainly have a personal connection. You can feel her loss as well as the joy of her memories. There are moments of indulgence here, but they are certainly understood and worth the trip to hear Freelon’s voice ache on “Just You,” for example. Anyone who has experienced loss can understand where she’s coming from as she tells us that her loss hurts, but also gives the sense that she’s going to be OK.
Frank Alkyer (DownBeat)
