Review – Mitchell Coleman Jr., Perception

Mitchell Coleman Jr. makes his radio friendly, thumb-style fueled, smooth jazz return with Perception, which hit the ground running in April 2016 to eagerly waiting, and truly excited, fans who are still saying great things about the 12 tunes (plus a gorgeous mid-point Interlude, and a sassy valediction w/slapped riff Outro) on this follow-up. The only cover song on this outing is the Joe Sample / Will Jennings hit “Street Life” – wonderfully presented by approved songbird, Doinyza Sutton – of High School Musical, and The Cheetah Girls notoriety, and who adds her adroit abilities to every situation calling for vocals throughout this album.

Mitchell has his hands full as he handles basses and production (the latter is shared with keyboardist and writing partner Michael B. Sutton) with a truly gifted and big-eared cast of instrumentalist who bring their A Game to say the least. Session great, drummer James Gadson, also adds his signature groove to a number of the tunes – sometimes playing along with machines… in order to bring richness within the sometimes undulating, always undulating foundation that serves as Mitch’s artfully funky canvass. Any fan of sexy, positive, and forward thinking music will dig Perception!

As for Mitchell’s playing… It’s a thumb thing, Baby! When he digs into his pizzicato bag, he sings a slightly different, though equally elegant, song. Get Perception, deal with your favorite 4-string’s high and low mids, and head into the shed! Giddy Yup, Players! This is a great recording of precise delivery and monk-like concentration on “the 1”. Compositionally, there is a nice arc of growth that began with Mitchell’s maiden release, last year’s Soul Searching. Since that time, the veteran Culver City, CA bassist/composer has become renown as the flowing, smooth, and deeply lyrical musician every life-long music student strives to become. This is good music!

Must Hear Tunes: Funkatized, So Funky, Interlude (Do It On The Bass), Street Life, and, for you slow dancers, Enchanted Summer

Visit online at mitchellcolemanjr.com