GREGORY PORTER – TAKE ME TO THE ALLEY

Description

Released in May 2016 through Blue Note Records, Take Me to the Alley solidified Gregory Porter’s status as the reigning ambassador of contemporary jazz, ultimately earning him the 2017 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album. Following the massive crossover success of Liquid Spirit, this fourth studio effort is a more tranquil, introspective collection that leans heavily into Porter’s signature “soul-jazz” warmth and gospel-rooted songwriting. The album is anchored by the poignant title track—a parable of humility and social grace—and features a reimagined, acoustic version of “Holding On,” his previous chart-topping collaboration with electronic duo Disclosure. Throughout the record, Porter uses his rich, baritone vibrato to navigate themes of family devotion (the bluesy “Don’t Lose Your Steam,” dedicated to his son) and political resilience (the hard-bop-inflected “Fan the Flames”). Produced by long-time collaborator Kamau Kenyatta, the album eschews flashy modern production in favor of a timeless, unhurried intimacy, ensuring that Porter remains a “national treasure” of the genre who can bridge the gap between traditional jazz purists and mainstream listeners.