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STREAM “DARK SIDE OF THE SUN” HERE
Friday, March 8 – Today, José James, the internationally-acclaimed jazz singer for the hip-hop generation, releases his genre-bridging song “Dark Side of the Sun,” featuring Congolese Belgian rapper and filmmaker Baloji. Out now via his own Rainbow Blonde Records, the third single from James’ upcoming album ‘1978,’ explores the despair of a generation that has lost its heroes and inherited the uncertainty of corporate fame. The song skillfully reimagines sounds from the ‘70s with modern relevance, propelled by Grammy-nominated Talia Billig's soaring string arrangements and drummer Jharis Yokley's dynamic, off-kilter beats.
“Dark Side of the Sun” is a collaboration that has been brewing for 11 years. James and Baloji first crossed paths in 2013 and have maintained a friendship ever since, frequently encountering each other while on tour. The duo always harbored dreams of working together and now after 11 years, they have come together with an urgent and political message, calling for unity in today’s turbulent times. The multi-language cross-continental collaboration continues the rich tradition of global black music, drawing inspiration from icons like Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder.
James is gearing up to release his twelfth studio album, '1978', out on April 5, 2024. This album stands out as one of his most autobiographical works yet. The first half delves into themes of romantic love and heartbreak, while the second half explores his experiences of growing up as a Black and Latino individual in a frequently hostile and challenging society. Notably, this album marks James' return to the role of producer for the first time since his 2008 debut album, 'The Dreamer.’
James premiered the new project live earlier this year at the Music Hall of Williamsburg as part of the NYC Winter Jazz Fest. He’ll return to New York for a week-long residency at Blue Note Jazz Club this spring, performing two shows each night. He will also perform overseas at esteemed venues across Europe, including Ronnie Scott’s in London, New Morning in Paris, and the Mojo Club in Hamburg.
For a full list of tour dates, see below:
Tour Dates:
April 23 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
April 24 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
April 25 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
April 26 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
April 27 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
April 28 – Blue Note Jazz Club – New York, NY
May 9 – Lensic Performing Arts Center – Santa Fe, NM
May 25 – Het Depot – Leuven, Belgium
May 26 – Mojo Club – Hamburg, Germany
May 27 – Paradiso – Amsterdam, Netherlands
May 28 – La Briqueterie – Schiltigheim, France
May 29 – New Morning – Paris, France
May 30 – Théâtre Lino Ventura – Nice, France
May 31 – Ronnie Scott’s – London, U.K.
June 1 – Ronnie Scott’s – London, U.K.
June 3 – Club Porgy & Bess – Vienna, Austria
June 4 – Moods – Zurich, Switzerland
June 5 – Cosmopolite Scene – Oslo Norway
‘1978’ Tracklist
- Let’s Get It
- Isis & Osiris
- Planet Nine
- Saturday Night (Need You Now)
- Black Orpheus (Don’t Look Back)
- Dark Side Of The Sun feat. Baloji
- Place Of Worship feat. Xenia França
- For Trayvon
- 38th & Chicago
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