There’s an understated quality to Dinner Party’s new album, a fine example that less is always more. Comprising of some of the finest jazz musicians in recent times, Kamasi Washington, Robert Glasper, Terrace Martin, as well as star studded hip hop producer 9th Wonder, the group have put together a collection of 9 songs, each with as much quality and musicianship as the next.
Their tendency it seems is not to try and rewrite the history books, but create a blissful album which can be enjoyed all the way through. Blending the sounds of 70s Soul, R&B and Hip Hop, a signature sound that this group fuses together so well, Dinner Party have moved forward from their previous albums with a slightly more varied yet finessed approach. ‘Breathe’ is a fine example of this, a blissed out vocal track where singer Ariin Ray’s soulful voice shines through. There is a strong vocal element in most tracks, even in the case of a Hall & Oates sample on the track ‘Can’t Go’, a clever use of such a well-known lyric.
As much as the musicianship is highly accomplished, the album features no solos, but focuses more on licks that are in turn sampled to create musical hooks for the songs, something for your ear to always return to. A fine example occurs on the track ‘For Granted’ where a fragment of Glasper’s piano accompanies the track all the way through. This is not to say that the album is empty or repetitive, it is full to the brim of luscious rich harmony, and tracks like ‘Watts Renaissance’ ‘The Lower East Side’ being a move from the Hip-Hop R&B blend to composition built more rhythmically with afro-beat and reggae influences.
All in all the album is a beautiful listen, and will no doubt get better with every visit.
To listen and purchase the LP click HERE
To listen and purchase the CD click HERE
