It’s an album I have been waiting for since seeing drummer Nate Smith a decade back with Stefon Harris & Blackout. He comes from the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, has recorded & played with saxophonists Chris Potter, Ravi Coltrane, bassist Dave Holland and singer Jose James , toured with singer Joe Jackson and co-wrote & produced “Heaven Can Wait” for Michael Jackson’s 2001 Invincible album.
“Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere” brings together members of the talented drummer’s musical family, including bassists Dave Holland, Lionel Loueke and Fima Ephron, saxophonists Chris Potter and Jaleel Shaw and vocalists Gretchen Parlato and Amma Whatt. There’s “Skip Step”, a tune influenced by
Nate’s love for Earth Wind & Fire, followed by “Bounce Parts I & II”, inspired by Miles Davis’s “TuTu”, and “Disenchantment: The Weight”, inspired by the Trayvon Martin case.
Kinfolk: Postcards from Everywhere” Is a personal story of a musician with purpose guided by a slow steady pace that after a listen connects all the dots ; between his family, musical friends and the listeners lucky enough to take it in.
