Our Jazz Recordings of the Month for May is Gregory Porter's "Take Me To The Alley" on Blue Note Records.

Gregory Porter’s fourth album is a strong follow up to his 2013 recording Liquid Spirit, which won a @Grammy Award. Reviews for that album, which became a cross over hit for Porter, praised the singer’s rhythmic phrasing, his use of call-and-response and his song writing. All those elements remain in effect with this latest album. 

"Take Me To The Alley" has a spontanious, but assured feel with Porter showing clearly his gospel roots. In fact, the title track is a parable about the second coming of Christ, with Alicia Olatuja providing backing vocals. With this latest album, Porter has staked his position as a masterful vocalist who doesn't seem too concerned about courting popular taste, although there are a couple of "remixes" including one track "Insanity" where Porter trades off vocals with Lalah Hathaway who recorded with late Crusader's founder Joe Sample.

This video provides a taste of Gregory Porter's "Take Me To The Alley" with the song "Don't Lose Your Steam" courtesy of Blue Note Records.