Taylor McFerrin and “Early Riser”: a debut featuring Robert Glasper at City Sounds

The young musician has just released an excellent debut album, ‘Early Riser’. On 22 October, he comes to Wrocław to perform at Stary Klasztor as part of the City Sounds series.

Taylor’s “Early Riser” is ideal for lovers of sophisticated nu-jazz, downtempo, electronics and soul fusions. Bobby McFerrin’s talented son honed his stage skills supporting Eryka Badu, Robert Glasper and The Roots, among others, and now debuts on Ninja Tune-associated Brainfeeder. Naturally, the Brooklyn musician’s superb album features his famous father. On “Invisible / Visible”, Bobby McFerrin and his son deliver an atmospheric yet deeply groovy vocal display.

Robert Glasper significantly contributed to “Early Riser”: pianist, producer, Grammy winner and regular collaborator of jazz greats Herbie Hancock and Blue Note’s Terrence Blanchard. McFerrin finds perfect balance between contemporary electronic passages, jazz tradition and old soul and funk. In “Already There”, Glasper is joined by California funk-soul heavyweight and Erykah Badu bassist Thundercat.

Above all, the album is McFerrin’s personal manifesto as a multi-instrumentalist, excellent composer and intriguing singer. Surprisingly, Taylor’s ideas also work as songs. Several excellent examples feature superb female voices supporting the young American: Grammy-nominated Emily King and Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote, and Ryat. One thing is certain: Taylor McFerrin inherited immense talent from his father and is growing into an important musical figure. He deserves our support as we follow this intriguing career’s development.