| Smooth Jazz |
The new album by this excellent saxophonist, whom I have been listening to since his first album, has just been released. He quickly made his mark among the great artists of smooth jazz. After bursting onto the scene in 2010 with his critically acclaimed independent debut album, *North End Soul*, at the age of 17, Vincent was already an experienced performer, developing a kind of cult following in his home state of Connecticut during his high school years with his captivating one-man show. This fan base grew exponentially across the United States, and he ranked in the Top 15 of the Billboard charts with “It Is What It Is.”
One could therefore expect an exceptional album, and that is indeed the case with these lush compositions that give his saxophone the leading role, making it an actor that takes us on a journey through the ten tracks of this new album: “Escape with Me,” which sounds like an invitation to attend his concerts to discover his latest creations, and honestly, it’s dreamy, especially since the last track, “Free,” features the excellent singer Lindsay Weber, from whom we hope to see a new album soon…
Over the years, Vincent Ingala has refined his style; there is always a somewhat indefinable Latino quality present in the rhythms, allowing him to modulate his melodic lines. For those of you who know his career, which began 11 years ago, you will notice that his evolution in composition and arrangement has been quite radical. For many years, Vincent has been leaning towards a form of production of this format, and I sincerely believe that he has now reached the pinnacle of this creative form. After an album like this, I think this artist has nothing left to prove and can allow himself to explore all directions. Vincent’s unique ability to electrify fans while emotionally connecting with them has made him one of the most popular touring artists in the genre. He captivates the audience, engaging them in an exhilarating musical experience that bridges the gap between his father’s R&B, funk, and soul collection (in which Vincent grew up) and his own refined grooves, impeccably executed brass lines, and brass-infused melodies. Just as he plays all the instruments on his self-produced albums, he leads his explosive band, offering the audience a well-balanced show featuring saxophone, guitar, drums, and vocals.
Balance is the key; everything here is perfectly in place—nothing pretentious, just a personal vision of his art, with very high-quality production and mixing that at times gives the impression of a live show. This music likely won’t allow the audience to stay still, as the present groove inevitably creates a need to sway and nod along; it’s normal since there is also a funk element in this artist’s music. Everything is thoughtfully crafted, to the point where one can easily visualize the stage aspects with its wildest moments and its most poetic moments, allowing both the artist and the audience to remain immersed in the soul of the proposed works and enjoy them fully. I encourage you to seek out the collaborations featuring Vincent Ingala; you will be surprised. Smooth jazz has its rules, and some seek to push those boundaries year after year. Vincent Ingala is one of those artists, and we love the proposal of this album and its coherence. It undoubtedly deserves a place among our “Essential” albums.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 2nd 2024
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