Gregory Porter Liquid Spirit (10th Anniversary Special Edition) 3LP

After two solid albums on Motema, both of which earned Grammy nominations, Gregory Porter made his Blue Note debut with Liquid Spirit in 2013. Recommencing with the water analogy that characterized his debut disc, Porter saw Liquid Spirit as a logical progression in his burgeoning discography as it touched on some of the same themes, particularly the highs and lows of romance, his childhood, and socio-political observations. The strength of Liquid Spirit lies in Porter's songs, based upon personal experiences with a relatable and emotional immediacy. Even more, his hooky melodies penetrate instantly. Hailed by the public and critics alike, Liquid Spirit won the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2014 and has sold over a million copies worldwide. Marking the 10th anniversary of the album, Blue Note presents a special vinyl edition bringing together the original album on 2LP and a disc of bonus tracks and remixes, with five tracks available on vinyl for the first time.

While his first two recordings revealed a major new talent with their promise, Liquid Spirit is a giant step forward artistically, and for the listener, an exercise in musical inspiration.

It's a better balanced Porter album than formerly, and as classily polished and confident as is usual from Blue Note.

Porter's rich baritone oozes confidence and brings each syllable life.