It is not in its infancy, Jonathan Jeremiah. Here is already his fifth album, but certainly the most striking. The voice of the Londoner projects all his influences, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, the soul of the 70s, without any computer coming to be embedded in the production.
Organic music, for a record partly written in France near Bordeaux, then recorded in an old church in Amsterdam with the Sinfonietta, a string orchestra. “Jwanted to recreate a very cinematic world”, he explains today.
When I was little, and I listened to old records, it was always music with an orchestra, it transported me to another world, outside of London
Jonathan Jeremiah, at franceinfo
Retro in form, punchy in substance, like the title Youngblood which evokes the Brixton riots in 2011.
Jonathan Jeremiah does not imagine removing an important social and political varnish from his music: “I think people know very well what to protest about, there is enough info. We are all affected by so many things, but I wanted to make a record that shows my solidarity with you, no matter what happens to you… So many things deserve our anger: at the moment it’s the energy bills, the public hospital, healthcare, housing, not to mention the Queen, or Boris Johnson!”
Thus, from harmony to powerful vocals, here is an album completely from its time.
Englishman Jonathan Jeremiah releases a new album
to listen
Jonathan Jeremiah, Horsepower For The Streets (Pias). Album available. In concert on April 19 in Paris.