When you think of Jamal Batiste, what comes to mind is tight, funky, in-the-pocket drumming wrapped up with good energy and spirit. That’s exactly how Beatz N’ Vibez, Vol 1, his fourth album kicks off. The only song I can think of measuring up to “New Return Intro” on a two-minute-loop is “Return of the Mack”: it sets the tone strongly. By the time the keyboards began shimmering and shaking, I was sold.
“Air Fresh Sunz” slows things down with a chill neo-soul vibe that had me imagining Lalah Hathaway, Raheem DeVaughn, or New Orleanian Jemima Joel hitting a few verses to do their thing. With all the social media challenges, having one based on singers trying to do the best vocals and lyrics on an instrumental, similar to Jamaican riddims, would be welcome in 2024.
This is music that mainly lets its message remain implicit. It sounds like a sunny day. It feels like a warm spirit. It looks like pure joy, but there can be no joy without tough times too. The opening lyrics of “Change is Coming” by Batiste himself are on point, “We done been through the struggle. We done been through the pain. We done shed some tears. Now it’s time for a change. Victory state of mind. We know change is coming. See change is coming.” He alternates this with a trio of rappers in his family, Ryan “Shaggadelic” Batiste, Jordan “Million Dollar Skeme” Batiste, and Michael “Mik Jag” Batiste, all of whom bring a different style to the table.
Jamal Batiste. Courtesy artist’s Facebook
Special guests Yisrael Trio on “Higher & Forward” are a nice surprise for a group who are selective with their recorded and public appearances. Their involvement makes perfect sense here, as do guests Raj Smoove kicking things off, and Natasha “Sweet Tea” Adams vocally blessing “Test of Time,” to name a few. This is the soundtrack to the cookout where you show up for more than just the food plate.
Beatz N’ Vibez, Vol. 1 is music for a party, a festival, but also for cleaning up the house and reflective times. I put the latter two to the test. The album is exactly what it says it is—beats and vibes. Roy Ayres famously said, “Everybody Loves the Sunshine.” Jamal Batiste says, “Funk Love Spread.” I can’t wait to hear how these songs live on stage and truly look forward to the inevitable Beatz N’ Vibez, Vol 2.
