On 'Reincarnation' Baltimore vibesman Warren Wolf reveals an entirely different side to his multi-faceted talents, allowing him to indulge his love for the R&B and soul hits that served as the soundtrack to his formative years in the 1990s. It's also a celebration of a new lease on life, a happiness and contentment that he's discovered through a new marriage and his five beloved children.
Through his three prior Mack Avenue Music Group releases and his attention-grabbing work with the likes of Christian McBride, Bobby Watson, Karriem Riggins, Jeremy Pelt, and the SFJAZZ Collective, Warren Wolf has established himself as the foremost straight-ahead vibraphonist of his generation, a bop torchbearer well equipped to carry the mantle of forebears like Bobby Hutcherson and Milt Jackson.
For 'Reincarnation', the vibist realised he'd need a band equally versed in the jazz tradition and the sultry feel of vintage R&B. His compositions touched on the R&B groups that blared from the radio in his high school and college days: D'Angelo, Mint Condition, Prince, even 2Pac. He found the ideal chemistry through a mix of scene veterans and rising stars - drummer Carroll CV Dashiell III, bassist Richie Goods and newcomer vocalist Imani-Grace Cooper.
Marcellus Bassman Shepard, aka The Man with the Voice, a DJ on Baltimore's WEAA 88.9, serves as emcee and Greek chorus throughout the album, providing a radio-style intro for the album on the opening track, Smooth Intro, and a summary farewell on the bookending Smooth Outro.
This is just an album about love and feel-good music, Wolf summed up. At this point in my career, I just wanted to show that I can be versatile in many different styles. I plan to continue to grow and play all the wonderful music that has shaped me as a musician today.
