Johnnie Taylor - One Step from the Blues (2024)

Peter Evans makes his We Jazz Records debut with Extra, a new album out 25th October. The band formation includes Evans on trumpet, Petter Eldh (Koma Saxo / Post Koma) on bass and Jim Black on drums. Peter Evans, an acclaimed trumpet player, improvisor, and composer based in New York City presents a gutsy new band that gets right to work with his eight new compositions. Extra was recorded at the iconic Namouche Studio in Lisbon and it has a feeling of a session where all musicians are pushing for the new together with great excitement. Both Eldh and Black are long-time collaborators of Evans, and every ounce of Extra brims with musical joy of togetherness and new discovery. Comprised of eight Evans originals, the album is a firecracker set off from the first beats of album opener "Freaks".

Released to celebrate soul legend Johnnie Taylor’s 90th birthday, One Step From The Blues is a 12-song collection from the “The Philosopher of Soul.” Delivered in Taylor’s distinctive style with roots in blues and gospel, the tracklist includes “Steal Away,” “Cheaper To Keep Her,” “Stop Doggin’ Me,” and the Hayes/Porter penned “I Had A Dream.” One Step From The Blues is released on Stax Records and available on standard black vinyl with liner notes by Memphis journalist Andria Lisle.