We’re a huge fan of this talented young singer/song-writer/producer at Proverb, most recently for the release of his fourth album, No Beginning, No End. Combining jazz, soul, drum’n’bass, and spoken word, Jose James has created a unique brand of vocal jazz, which awarded him the 2011 DownBeat Critics Poll “Rising Start Best Male Vocalist.” Often referred to as a “jazz singer for the hip-hop generation,” James’ blend of modern jazz and hip-hop presents widely in Europe, and has debuted on several of our mixtapes at Proverb.
Performing both solo and in collaborative projects, James traces his inspiration to John Coltrane and icons of ‘70s jazz-soul such as Gil Scott-Heron and Terry Callier. He has worked with some of the genres’s most respected players, and has performed in premier concert halls such as L’Olympia, Royal Festival Hall, and De Roma.
“Trouble,” James’ new single from No Beginning, No End, was inspired in part by Marvin Gaye and the beats of underground hip-hop artist Madlib. Telling the story of a man trying to love a woman, his world, and himself, James hopes that it will “inspire people to keep strong and enjoy the beauty of their own lives.”
