If I Were Your Woman
Self-Released, 2022
8/10
Listen to If I Were Your Woman
The vocalist, songwriter, arranger and composer Sidney Jacobs is clearly an artist willing to go against the grain, and here along with many guest musicians he brings his baritone voice to R&B, jazz and pop spirited tunes.
“We All” starts the listen with atmospheric, wordless vocals in the brief opener, and this transitions into Josh Nelson’s warm piano and plenty of soulful brass as Jacobs’ expressive singing guides the timeless jazz demeanor of “On A Clear Day”.
Making our ways towards the middle, “Like A Star” finds an intimate place to reside, where poetic singing in the R&B influenced sophistication makes an impression, while “I Feel Pretty” moves swiftly with Gene Coye’s acrobatic drumming and Soloman Dorsey’s playful bass to complement Jacobs’ diverse pipes.
Deeper into the back half, “Been So Long” benefits from Rickey Woodard’s elegant sax and Munyungo Jackson’s strategic percussion as Jacobs shows us his falsetto, and “Conversations With Bernice” exits the listen with a bit of ambience and electro-pop nods.
A very adventurous sophomore album, Jacobs blend poly-rhythmic ideas, rich harmonies and folk, gospel, classical and soul moments into a very distinct and atypical formula you’ll want to listen to again and again.
Travels well with: Bill Ortiz- Points Of View; Chris Standring- Simple Things