Gregory Porter: Water (2LP, reissue) [DECCA]

Why you'll love it

This 2LP reissue spreads the debut over four sides and adds Opolopo's remix of "1960 What?" Water was nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album at the 53rd Grammy Awards.

This edition

• 2LP set
• Bonus Opolopo remix

About the album

Gregory Porter came to jazz late and arrived fully formed. The singer from Bakersfield, California, made his debut on Motéma in 2010 with a voice like warm brandy and a set of songs mostly written by himself, and Jamie Cullum was quick to tip him as one to watch.

Kamau Kenyatta produced, and the originals carry real weight. "1960 What?" is a simmering soul-jazz story song, "Illusion" opens the album on a hush, and "Pretty," "Magic Cup" and "Wisdom" show his gift for a melody. Among the standards, "Skylark" and "But Beautiful" get tender readings, Wayne Shorter's "Black Nile" swings hard, and "Feeling Good" closes things in style. JazzTimes heard a meeting point of Kurt Elling and Sammy Davis Jr., and Soul Tracks reckoned Nat King Cole would have approved. The Independent heard a singer less mannered and more soulful than his peers.

It was the start of a run that made him one of the best-loved jazz singers of his generation. Cullum tipped him as one to watch; we'd add one to listen to, which is admittedly the easier half.

Also at Kops: more Gregory Porter on vinyl · browse Vocal Jazz

Tracklist

Listen

On Blue Note (cat# 3878342), a reissue of the 2010 album.