Bay Area Jazz Society [2020] - The Higher Power Project [Chump Change]

I was alerted to this release from last year (25 Jun 2020) by Mark Merry's Soul Sermon show this week who in turn was alerted by Mick O'Donnell's Soul Discovery show. 

Although the writer credits (on Spotify) state Paul Edward Smith, It's Paul Tillman Smith as virtually all of the tracks are songs written by him and recorded by Donnie Williams & Park Place on a 2009 "The Power" EP and Park Place on their 2011 "Steps" album, and one also by Bridge ("The Darkness To The Light" on "Crying For Love"), so perhaps it's a writing alias or a typo? I did a feature on Paul Tillman Smith and Park Place last April and have also featured Bridge previously.

Further investigation shows that this album (CD & Digital) is a project where 100% of proceeds go to a fund to support struggling musicians and artists. Ironically it was started before the current pandemic which has amplified the need for the fund. Amen to that, as I am also a freelancer who has received zilch from the government during this pandemic!

All of the tracks except "From A Woman" and "Precious Song" have been previously released, but I'm not sure whether these are new or existing recordings (probably the latter). The track titled "Running" was recorded by Park Place as "I Ran".

It is a superb album, one you can just let play through as all tracks are special. The artists featured are Donnie Williams and his sister Terrill Carter with guest vocalists Denise Stewart (Norman Connors), Freddie Hughes and his son Derrick (a member of Bridge), Talita Long (mother of actress Nia Long (NCIS Los Angeles and many more)), Michael Cheadle and his daughter Mickala, Robert Collier and Jeanie Tracy is on background vocals. There are also too many top Bay Area musicians featured to name, including Paul Tillman Smith on drums, who wrote most of the tracks (probably all but the Donny Hathaway cover).

If you're inclined to make a contribution they are gratefully accepted via PayPal (friends & family) to Bayjazzs@gmail.com

Click on CD image to go to Chump Change form for more information.

Details

Rating:	9
Genre/Style:	Classic Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital/CD
Label:	Chump Change
Cat No:	None
Year:	26/06/2020
Value:	£7.99