Music You Should Know: Jose James

Jose James is one of the best new vocalists on the scene today.

Discovered and signed by British DJ Gilles Peterson to his Brownswood Recordings label, 2008′s The Dreamer, introduced him as a rising jazz star. On Blackmagic, James goes for a more contemporary sound, enlisting production from Moodymann and Flying Lotus. It is a change of direction, but an excellent listen on its own merits.

His upcoming release, For All We Know, will be his first album to be issued in America, courtesy of Verve. With a tracklisting that includes “Autumn In New York,” “Lush Life,” and “Body And Soul,” it promises a return to his roots.

Here’s a clip of Jose doing a live version of the Freestyle Fellowship classic “Park Bench People.” Accompaniment is by the equally fierce Japanese band Soil and Pimp Sessions.