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Decorated pianist and composer reimagines the meaning of world music, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jon Batiste didn’t have to reinvent his sonic wheel for his latest album, ‘World Music Radio’, but he did. The Louisiana native has been releasing albums since his 2005 debut, ‘Times In New Orleans’, making dents at the top of US Jazz charts along the way. He also spent seven years as music director and bandleader of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, ending his celebrated tenure in 2022. That same year, his album ‘We Are’ which blended hip-hop, jazz and pop under uplifting lyrics highlighting the impact of Black culture picked up five Grammys, including the coveted Album Of The Year award. So why didn’t he head back into the studio, set to compose more of the same? The answer was inspired by something out of this world
The expedition takes 21 tracks to complete, opening with a quick intro as a DJ called “Billy Bob Bo Bob” tells listeners they’re about to take an aural journey around the world. The first stop is ‘Raindance’ which features Native American quartet Native Soul and starts with a slow bubbling bass line before bursting into full bliss, with Batiste begging, “Give me love for the life of me” over Afropop textures and sparkling walls of sound. It’s a perfect example of his ability to not only play by the rules of the pop handbook but swerve into imaginative territory.
The fidgety ‘Drink Water’ features singer Jon Bellion, rapper Fireboy DML, and optimistic lyrics about taking a deep breath a top spiralling dance beats. But a direct pop song that dips into reggaeton beats isn’t enough for Batiste in this instance, so towards the end of the track, he enlists a choir to reinforce the repetitive request “take me to the river”, and it drives the cathartic mantra home.
‘World Music Radio’’s approach to universal music also means tapping a wide range of collaborators from multiple genres and locals. Fellow New Orleans native, rapper Lil Wayne, saxophonist Kenny G, Colombian singer Camilo and K-pop sensation NewJeans all take their moment at the mic. The album is an ambitious feat in sound and scope but brisk featureless tracks like the synth-laden and soulful ‘Calling Your Name’ or the rare stripped-back piano ballad ‘Butterfly’ make the jaunt fly by.
(source is www.nme.com)
