Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
More Than Ever (Interlude) has Raquel Ra Brown's smooth textured vocal enter into a transcendental realm all of its own, as she offers her own personal declaration of a mother's unconditional love for her (as yet to be born) son. Jackson's 'warm to the touch' fender rhodes is partnered with Benitez's perfectly attuned acoustic bass and a sublime string arrangement that sets the tone for the talented 'DC via North Philly' wordsmith to weave a lyrical magic spell like no other.
Classically trained jazz pianist virtuoso, flautist, songwriter, arranger/producer, musical director and trail blazing creative visionary. Brian Jackson's resume more than speaks for itself; an impressive, musically fruitful trajectory in a career that has spanned well beyond 5 decades. Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City born and raised, a child prodigy with a talent nurtured and molded firmly within Black America's rich jazz tradition (inspired by such blues, swing, bebop and post-bop greats as Clifford Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, John Coltrane); one that would be fine honed in later years by the supernatural-like funk, soul and rock sounds of music contemporaries Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield.
As one half of Gil-Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, he would be the music alchemist to his lyrically gifted and charismatic partner's prescient, blues-laden observational musings, forged deep in the crucible of the post WWII Black Arts Movement responsible for such literary and performative talents as Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Oscar Brown Jr, Nikki Giovanni, and The Last Poets. Theirs would be a collaborative partnership like no other: a reality 'truth to power' manifesto on politics, culture and everyday life, delivered through song via an equally unapologetic blues, jazz and funk rhythm template. Two modern day griots, embedded firmly in that time-honoured African tradition of disseminating news and sharing information.
'Now More Than Ever' is Brian Jackson's latest offering for BBE Music. It takes up the legacy baton some two years on from where 'This Is Brian Jackson' (his impressive debut for the label) left off. Where 'This Is' comprised unreleased demo material from the duo's mid '70s heyday with newer songs that wisely referenced Jackson's funk and jazz heritage, this latest all-new offering pays direct homage to the very songs of that famed partnership. The album's title (taking its cue from the opening chant on ''Peace Go With You Brother”), is an appreciative nod to the enduring relevance of Jackson and Scott-Heron's inspirational gift to the world; songs that are now over 5 decades old, though which speak 'more than ever' before to those major topical issues that afflict our markedly fractured, conflict-ridden and polarised present day world.
Globally celebrated dance floor hit makers Masters of Work ('Little' Louie Vega and Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez), have been recruited as producers for the project, recorded over a two month period at Manhattan Center Studios, New York City in February and March of 2024, mixed by Dave Darlington and mastered by the legendary Herb Powers Jr. The album boasts an impressive array of Big Apple session talent, among them Nuyorican Soul/Elements of Life alumni - Gene Perez (electric bass), latin jazz virtuosos John Benitez (upright bass) and Luisito Quintero (various percussion), Axel Tosca (keyboards), as well as session guitar stalwarts William Sherrod Barnes, and Clarence 'Binky' Brice. It features a horn section comprising Ivan Renta (sax and flute) and Alex Norris (trumpet), and (one-time Midnight Band member) reedman Carl Cornwell. Backing vocals are exquisitely handled by Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle, Ramona Dunlap and Dawn Tallman, all four singers individually having carved out successful solo careers. Supplementing the rhythm section, adding mood and ethereal texture to the songs is The Apple Hill String Quartet under the inspired direction of globally revered Harlem, NYC vocalist/pianist/songwriter/arranger/producer Leroy Burgess.
...
Real Music For Real People, since 1996.
Website: bbemusic.com
Subscribe to our channel: geni.us/BBEtv
More Than Ever (Interlude) has Raquel Ra Brown's smooth textured vocal enter into a transcendental realm all of its own, as she offers her own personal declaration of a mother's unconditional love for her (as yet to be born) son. Jackson's 'warm to the touch' fender rhodes is partnered with Benitez's perfectly attuned acoustic bass and a sublime string arrangement that sets the tone for the talented 'DC via North Philly' wordsmith to weave a lyrical magic spell like no other.
Classically trained jazz pianist virtuoso, flautist, songwriter, arranger/producer, musical director and trail blazing creative visionary. Brian Jackson's resume more than speaks for itself; an impressive, musically fruitful trajectory in a career that has spanned well beyond 5 decades. Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City born and raised, a child prodigy with a talent nurtured and molded firmly within Black America's rich jazz tradition (inspired by such blues, swing, bebop and post-bop greats as Clifford Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Williams, John Coltrane); one that would be fine honed in later years by the supernatural-like funk, soul and rock sounds of music contemporaries Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix, Marvin Gaye, and Curtis Mayfield.
As one half of Gil-Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson, he would be the music alchemist to his lyrically gifted and charismatic partner's prescient, blues-laden observational musings, forged deep in the crucible of the post WWII Black Arts Movement responsible for such literary and performative talents as Langston Hughes, Amiri Baraka, Sonia Sanchez, Oscar Brown Jr, Nikki Giovanni, and The Last Poets. Theirs would be a collaborative partnership like no other: a reality 'truth to power' manifesto on politics, culture and everyday life, delivered through song via an equally unapologetic blues, jazz and funk rhythm template. Two modern day griots, embedded firmly in that time-honoured African tradition of disseminating news and sharing information.
'Now More Than Ever' is Brian Jackson's latest offering for BBE Music. It takes up the legacy baton some two years on from where 'This Is Brian Jackson' (his impressive debut for the label) left off. Where 'This Is' comprised unreleased demo material from the duo's mid '70s heyday with newer songs that wisely referenced Jackson's funk and jazz heritage, this latest all-new offering pays direct homage to the very songs of that famed partnership. The album's title (taking its cue from the opening chant on ''Peace Go With You Brother”), is an appreciative nod to the enduring relevance of Jackson and Scott-Heron's inspirational gift to the world; songs that are now over 5 decades old, though which speak 'more than ever' before to those major topical issues that afflict our markedly fractured, conflict-ridden and polarised present day world.
Globally celebrated dance floor hit makers Masters of Work ('Little' Louie Vega and Kenny 'Dope' Gonzalez), have been recruited as producers for the project, recorded over a two month period at Manhattan Center Studios, New York City in February and March of 2024, mixed by Dave Darlington and mastered by the legendary Herb Powers Jr. The album boasts an impressive array of Big Apple session talent, among them Nuyorican Soul/Elements of Life alumni - Gene Perez (electric bass), latin jazz virtuosos John Benitez (upright bass) and Luisito Quintero (various percussion), Axel Tosca (keyboards), as well as session guitar stalwarts William Sherrod Barnes, and Clarence 'Binky' Brice. It features a horn section comprising Ivan Renta (sax and flute) and Alex Norris (trumpet), and (one-time Midnight Band member) reedman Carl Cornwell. Backing vocals are exquisitely handled by Lisa Fischer, Cindy Mizelle, Ramona Dunlap and Dawn Tallman, all four singers individually having carved out successful solo careers. Supplementing the rhythm section, adding mood and ethereal texture to the songs is The Apple Hill String Quartet under the inspired direction of globally revered Harlem, NYC vocalist/pianist/songwriter/arranger/producer Leroy Burgess.
...
Real Music For Real People, since 1996.
Website: bbemusic.com
Subscribe to our channel: geni.us/BBEtv
