In the modern jazz scene, there are so many stands of music being woven into each other at any given moment that one would be hard-pressed to name a single combination that’s not accounted for. And yet, I often realize how few people are doing the whole ‘jazz-folk’ idiom these days, a particular crossroads visited in the past by greats like Joni Mitchell and Terry Callier. Luckily there’s one name consistently carrying that tradition into the future: Jono McCleery.
‘Stuck on your own star/Waiting to see, where you belong‘
Ever since his Ninja Tune-borne début in 2008, McCleery has been toiling away at a modern-day iteration of soulful, jazz-inflected folk music, bringing in the now customary electronic influences as well. Having released eight stellar albums thus far, along with being a regular collaborator of big names and contemporaries like Portico Quartet, it’s no wonder McCleery enjoys the esteem he’s currently being held in. This Friday will see the release of his latest record Reconcile, the title track of which we are proud to present to you today.
A largely acoustic affair, “Reconcile” bounces off a sprightly guitar rhythm, percussive taps, and cajon accompaniment, leaving a whole lot of room for the vocals to flourish. Background vocals, harmonies, and other small runs are added to the main performance to elicit a bluesy, almost gospel feel. This song demonstrates how well McCleery can play on limited assets, only taking what is truly needed to construct a sturdy, beautiful song.
Reconcile (the album) unfolds from behind an artwork adorned by a drawing McCleery’s 8 year-old daughter made when she was 4 – we stan a proud parent! – and bristles with energy and purpose. Whether it’s his commitment to being a father or the loss of his brother, McCleery filled these songs with meaning and memories, while treading new ground as an artist. Having left Ninja Tune behind, Reconcile is his first release for Sonar Kollektiv, and that’s not the only change that occurred.
‘Throw a line/To the edge of the number/Reconcile‘
The presence of electronic elements is much more pronounced on Reconcile than it previously had been; this is due to the fact that while McCleery has recorded these new songs alone in a cabin, he collaborated with Matt Kelly, Fybe One and Jesse Koolhaas on the production side. It’s also noticeable that the vocal arrangements were a particular focus of his this time around; from “Reconcile” alone it was easy to grasp the love and attention to detail McCleery put into his vocal performance.
I’m really feeling this new single, and I’m fairly certain I’m far from the only one in that regard. Jono McCleery never misses with his music, and I’m glad to have been given the opportunity to write up this little article in response. As I mentioned earlier, Reconcile will drop this Friday, November 29, via Sonar Kollektiv; if you fancy a last-minute pre-order, consider this your invitation. You may also wish to follow McCleery on social media – if so, these are the links you are looking for: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter. Be sure to have a look at his official website as well while you’re at it.
All images courtesy of Nicola D’Orta
