Tracy Chapman - Our Bright Future

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Tracy Chapman - Our Bright Future

“Twenty years after her self-titled debut, Tracy Chapman remains true to her musical calling: soul-rich folk melodies around a voice of honesty and nuance that nails ambivalence like no other. Chorusless opener “Sing for You” is one of Chapman’s signature sad yet sunny tunes of love gone by, building straight from a hooky verse to a strong, marching bridge. “I Did It All,” a sweet, shuffling saloon ballad, reflects the slide guitar-heavy country leanings of the set, and “Thinking of You” is a sexy, noisy cry about the pain of obsessing over a lover. “A Theory” is a charming peek at Tracy with a crush, while the title track suggests that along the broad range of emotions that Chapman has deftly expressed with her music, she is today most closely aligned with cautious optimism.—Evie Nagy”

Christian Scott - Live at Newport

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Christian Scott - Live at Newport

“Trumpeter Christian Scott leads a fine sextet on this live recording, from an August performance at the Newport Jazz Festival. From a technical standpoint, the album sounds fabulous, but what will most seduce the listener is Scott’s sound. He’s got a dusky, warm tone that invites multiple spins. Scott’s bandmates bring an abundance of style and depth to the recording, as heard on “Anthem.” Pianist Aaron Parks and guitarist Matthew Stevens deliver lovingly phrased solos that enhance the pensive feel of the tune. One of the five new songs here, “The Crawler,” was written by Stevens. It’s a low-key piece built on a subtle complexity that summons a terrific, beautifully detailed ensemble effort. —Philip Van Vleck”