James Francies shares new Blue Note album Purest Form
Continuing with Blue Note for his second album, Francies accesses “intimate chambers of his artistry” across 14 tracks, dipping into feelings of love, grief, frailty and fortitude.
“Music, in its purest form, is an honest space we’re trying to get to where there are no preconceived ideas of what we think something should sound like,” Francies says. “When you really tap into who you are on the inside, musically and as a person, that energy supersedes anything else.”
Purest Form was recorded with Francies’ core trio of bassist Burniss Travis and drummer Jeremy Dutton. The three Houston-raised artists have been playing together for more than a decade. The album also features alto saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins, vibraphonist Joel Ross, guitarist Mike Moreno and vocalists Elliott Skinner, Peyton and Bilal.
“I hope that what I was trying to go for — an immersive, multidimensional experience — really reaches people,” Francies continues. “I hope that for 56 minutes, they step into this world of sounds and textures. That’s the idea. And [laughs] I hope it sounds good on every speaker.”
Purest Form arrives May 21 via Blue Note.
For now, you can listen to lead singles 713, a tribute to his hometown, and Rose Water, an evocative track featuring vocalist Elliott Skinner.