Undeniably one of the best voices of our generation, Grammy award-winning singing sensation Gregory Porter has made his eagerly-awaited return to the studio with the uplifting new single "Revival". He also announces the release of his sixth studio album All Rise on April 17.
Following on from 2017’s ‘Nat King Cole & Me’ album, which charted at No.3, Porter’s forthcoming record marks a return to his beloved original songwriting – heart-on-sleeve lyrics imbued with everyday philosophy and real-life detail, set to a stirring mix of jazz, soul, blues, and gospel.
First single, "Revival", sets the tone, kicking off with Gregory’s signature hand-clapping. Drop the needle on this irrepressible, gospel-infused track and just try to pretend you aren't lifted by the spirit. And this is just one of the many moments of pure joy on the new album. All Rise, produced by Troy Miller (Laura Mvula, Jamie Cullum, Emili Sandé) also represents the evolution of Porter's art to something even more emphatic, emotive, intimate, and universal too.
"Yes, you could say that I went big," says Gregory about the track, which combines the talents of his longtime loyal bandmates, a handpicked horn section and 10-member choir. He explains, “For me, it’s the message of walking into this life and having some fear and self-doubt, and the point where you grab onto something that you know is real, the silent and real things, the truth… Once you can wrap onto the truth then this fearlessness comes.”
Along with his new album, 2020 sees Gregory take the position of ‘Guest Curator’ at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, performing there on May 5th, and embark upon a major UK tour (9-26 May), with a series of arena shows as well as four nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
As ever, Gregory Porter manages to cut through the noise of genres and the mess of life, bringing his rich, soulful voice and exuberant personality to everyone and everything. And lucky for us that he does.