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Mr. Magic Slide Jeff Bradshaw is back with his first Live album at
Shanachie Entertainment entitled Home. The album was
recorded at Philadelphia's premiere arts venue, The Kimmel Center,
in May 28, 2014. Jeff's band of 20 members supported guest musicians
Robert Glasper, Eric Roberson, Tweet, Marsha Ambrosius, Kim Burrell,
Trombone Shorty, Black Thought, Take 6, Bilal, Will Downing, Kenny
Lattimore, and Najee. Jeff was boosting his horn-heavy ensemble with
a ten-piece string section of members of the Philadelphia Orchestra
and other chamber ensembles from the city.
Robert Glasper coproduced the album together with Jeff.
Jointly they planned the event and the participating artists, all
Jeff's friends. He comments꞉ “I just want people to know that
this is the best of me thus far. I believe in my heart that this is
the album of the year because it is a collection of brilliance that
magnifies my gift. That’s what it is. It’s a live collection of
brilliance that magnifies the gift that God gave me.″
The event starts with the intro Open Your Eyes. It should
be better called Open Your Ears Impressing vocals meet Jeff's
phenomenal trombone play. Not perfectly timed but that is the raw
version of a live concert. Robert Glasper introduces into harmonic
ballad All Time Love with a skillful piano solo featuring
vocalists Charlene Keys, whose stage name is Tweet and Eric Roberson
aka Erro. When Jeff enters the ring, the tune turns wild.
I Do Sincerely presents Marsha Ambroius, former member of
Floetry. Marsha's vocals share the slide effect of Jeff's trombone.
Challenging for the audience, but well received. Kim Burrell on
Love chooses a jazzy and Gospel approach for her
interpretation. On New Orleans Groove Jeff Bradshaw shares
the stage with Trombone Shorty.
“Me and Trombone Shorty are on opposite ends of the spectrum,
which made it great to be on stage with him.″
Now learn the difference between both. Break You Off
features rapper Black Thought, who likes to jam with jazz players.
All This Love was originally recorded by El Debarge. In
2014 Take 6 delivered background vocals for JC Bentley's cover. On
this event they interpret the song together with Jeff. Stunning as
usual! Enchantment's Where Do We Go From Here
is dominated by Bilal, who is known for his great range of voice and
finally by Jeff's trombone. Will Downing turns My Forever
into a vivid celebration of soul. Beyond The Stars shows
Jeff Bradshaw in the second reunion with Take 6, a vocal highlight
of the album.
With Kenny Lattimore on What Must I Do Jeff pulls another
joker from his sleeve. This song is from Kenny's album Back To
Cool. For Grover is a duet of saxophonist Najee and
Jeff Bradshaw with a distinctive string support. A tribute to the
late Grover Washington, who will always be an idol for the smooth
jazz world. The World Is A Ghetto was published by the band
War in 1972. A worthy finishing for a great evening with a bombastic
outro. As bonus Jeff adds the studio version of
All Time Love, which will also be the first single of the
album and is already to seen as video on YouTube.
Jeff Bradshaw's intention is to attract attention with his new album
Home and create his breakthrough. With so many big names a
success is by all means possible.
Album information
01. Open Your Eyes (Intro)
02. All Time Love
03. I Do Sincerely
04. Love
05. N.O. Groove
06. Break You Off
07. All This Love
08. Where Do We Go From Here
09. My Forever
10. Beyond The Stars
11. What Must I Do
12. For Grover
13. The World Is A Ghetto (outro)
14. All Time Love (Studio Version)
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