All For One
Ross Jamison
All For One
Ross Jamison
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About
'All For One' perfects the intoxicating chemistry of Jamison Ross' debut, which intermingled blues, jazz, R&B and soul effortlessly.
The album boasts a cast of musicians of whom Ross has developed a strong rapport from touring - pianist Chris Pattishall, guitarist Rick Lollar (both of whom played on the 2015 debut), bassist Barry Stephenson, and Cory Irvin on Hammond organ and Fender Rhodes. Ross is particularly enthusiastic with the addition of Irvin on the organ because he likens that instrument to an orchestra that would accompany jazz singers like Frank Sinatra or Billie Holiday.
Love is a recurring theme on 'All For One' as the material touches on both the romantic kind and the socio-political aspect of love that calls for unity among a diverse and, at times, a divisive community. The album also finds the Jacksonville, Florida born and now New Orleans-based Ross plowing into the rarefied areas of blues and R&B that seldom gets investigated by his peers.
Besides the wordless "Tears and Questions," 'All For One' contains no instrumentals like its predecessor; nor does it explicitly showcases Ross' virtuosity as a drummer. "This album is a result of a personal revelation that we all have the capacity to love with empathy in a deeper way. The love you need comes from me and the love I need comes from you. All for one, one for all."
Contents and tracklist
A Mellow Good Time
Unspoken
Don't Go to Strangers
Away
Everybody's Cryin' Mercy
Safe in the Arms of Love
Tears and Questions
Keep On
All for One
Call Me
True Love Interlude
My Ship
Let's Sing Again
Awards and reviews
March 2018
March 2018
Unlike his self-titled debut, which was split between vocal and instrumental tracks, every tune here is sung by Ross. He brings impressive subtlety to the torchy “Don’t Go To Strangers” and turns the Kurt Weill chestnut “My Ship” into a languid and evocative soliloquy. But midway through “My Ship,” the rhythm changes up and we’re reminded that Ross is also a terrifically capable drummer (his deft cymbal control almost upstages his singing), just as we are during the piano break on “Everybody’s Cryin’ Mercy.”