Jake and the Jewels

A Welcome Return By A Great Artist 

     

Jake Jacobs makes music that conveys a genuine sense of friendliness without being smarmy or simplistic. He is a personification of a particularly magical time in the musical spirit of New York City.
Jake's recordings (all of which are highly recommended) have been too rare - two LPs by the duo Bunky & Jake in '69 and '70, and two with his band the Family Jewels in '70 and '72. Since then he has only recorded a single with a later edition of the Family Jewels for NRBQ's Red Rooster label in '83, and an album of children's music with Bunky in '93.
With his new album, A Lick and a Promise, we now have a wonderful new recording of his music, a balm of good wishes for the soul that comes at a time when a chitinous shell of ignorance and zealotry has hardened and distorted the ties that bind the human family.
This doesn't mean that the music here is sugar coated. "Just A Stone's Throw" is an achingly accurate portrait of how so many good people are now just a stone's throw from the street, with music that is gently anthemic rather than dirge-like, making it even more poignant as a result. Wishful reverie marks the equally poignant "Locked Inside The City", with its bittersweet poetry and beautiful string arrangement.
The music hearkens to other sensibilities as well. "Stay In Shape" has an upbeat energy that befits its title while name checking Muhammad Ali and Dr. J. "For No One But The Moon" pays tribute to street corner a cappella singing in fitting fashion, while "Dusty" honors the queen of blue eyed soul without stooping to musical pastiche. "Annabelle" and "Kinky Afternoon" are the type of character vignettes that Jake does so well, and "Long Lost Friend" lovingly recounts a reunion. The album closes with "Lullaby of the Train", an evocation of the sweet mystery and wonder of that iconic image by a reunited duet of Bunky and Jake. This is easily one of my favorite albums of the year.