Jose James - No Beginning No End 2: Mentals (Instrumental) (2020)

The satin-voiced songwriter's latest is No Beginning No End 2 - a sequel to his 2013 album that resurrects the bold eclecticism we first fell in love with, while taking us on a journey through both celebration and introspection. This is his first set of new music on his own label/collective, Rainbow Blonde Records. The album is chock-full of collaborators who are auteurs in their own right - Laura Mvula, Aloe Blacc, Ledisi, Erik Truffaz, and Hindi Zahra, to name a few - appearing in unexpected sonic contexts. With the backing of a wildly good band held down by rhythm sections in Los Angeles and Brooklyn (befitting Rainbow Blonde's bicoastal status) the songs are warmer and more defined than ever, balancing classic songwriting against immersive vibe.