Co-produced
by Taylor Graves, it has stellar musical contributions from the likes of Kamasi
Washington, Thundercat, Ronald Bruner Jr, Rob Bacon and Wayne Linsey. The
melodically adventurous soul of Leon Ware continues its expression in his final
opus Rainbow Deux, released on double vinyl.
The
album features new songs recorded and performed by Leon before his health
turned, leading to his transition on February 23rd 2017.
Taylor
Graves came into Leon’s musical family in 2002 when he, his brother Cameron and
the Bruner brothers Ronald Jr and Stephen (Thundercat) were playing along with
their schoolmate Kamasi at an L.A. jazz club. Taylor, Cameron, Ronald and
Stephen became Leon’s band for his debut shows in Japan in 2002 and Taylor
continued to work with Leon as his mentor and collaborator over the next 15
years.
“Leon
was ALWAYS writing something or developing his musical palette” his wife Carol
Ware tells us, so it’s impossible to pinpoint any single moment of Rainbow
Deux’s genesis. Six of the songs go back to 2012/2013 and were released in 2014
as part of Sigh, a Japan-only CD collection heavy with Rob Bacon’s tasteful
licks and Wayne Linsey’s piano vibes. The rest of the material comes from
Leon’s sessions with Taylor.
Describing
Leon’s and his process, here’s Taylor: “We’d start by having some great
homemade food! Then a glass of wine ‘to slow down time’. After we’d have our
fill and smoked our joints we’d go into his studio room to listen and create.”
The
album was finished-up around August of 2016 in a back-and-forth between Leon
and his go-to mastering engineer Toni Economides in the UK.
Leon
worked on Rainbow Deux with life’s greatest challenge looming over him, yet it
is one of his most focused and cohesive solo offerings since the 1980s. The
entire record is a vibe: mellow, deep and smooth as silk. The lyrical themes
are eternal, and the music is elegant, soulful and sensual. The album opens
with the hypnotic throb of “For The Rainbow”, coming on like a percussive,
slow-mo house shuffle. Gilles Peterson is a fan. The exotic “Let Love In” follows,
with its gradual-build Island Funk, intricate guitar picks and sassy female
vocals. It explodes when it hits its stride.
“Sigh” is the stylish slow jam
close-out to side A. Serene guitars and polished drums create neck snapping
funk, with a swaggering finger-snap strut.
Side B opens with the easy-burning
broken-beaty “The Darkest Night”, the centrepiece of the album. Kamasi
Washington’s lurking sax, restrained and beautiful, unfurls into the dank,
sticky atmosphere of Thundercat’s signature creeping bass laid over his
brother’s in-the-pocket drums. Leon’s vocals are perfect, a masterclass in
seductive sax-soul.
“Surrender Now” conjures waves of vocals to swell and wash
over the glossy piano, subtly bumping hip-hop drums and bubbling synth-bass
stabs. It’s got the trademark Leon layers. “Summer Is Her Name” has Kamasi’s
effortless, melancholic sunshine sax give way to rising tempos and propulsive
rhythms.
“Are You Ready” is a total highlight (and we’ve been playing it out
for ages). It’s a nimble groove of piano and synth rolling around Theo Croker’s
sensual trumpet playing. Digi-soul at its finest.
With lush G-Funk
sensibilities “Streets (Keep Me Runnin’)” sounds like a lost Dam-Funk produced
gem. All tough kicks and snares and street sounds. Leon’s hood pass will be
forever intact.
“Samba Dreams” is the first of two tracks that bring a little
Rio magic to Rainbow Deux. Leon created a whole body of work in partnership
with Brazilian legend Marcos Valle that includes “Rockin’ You Eternally” – a
hit for Leon – and “Estrelar” – a hit for Marcos. Leon channels his obvious
love of Brazilian music here through more of Croker’s sumptuous trumpet, played
over loose percussion.
“Let’s Go Deep” is next up. A dreamy between-the-sheets
quiet storm anthem and a real showcase for Leon’s vocals.
The dripping, honeyed
harp-funk of “We Should Be Laughin’” marks the star turn of the brilliant
Kimbra. Leon first met her on-stage to do an impromptu duet of “Inside My Love”
during an open-air celebration of Minnie Riperton in July of 2014. Kimbra was
working with Taylor on her music and he brought her to Leon’s house to do some
writing. This was the result. Warm synths radiate shuffling samba soul on
“Wishful Thinking” as those Brazilian rhythms return to bring Rainbow Deux to a
close.
During
an apartment move Leon and Carol rediscovered some watercolours Leon had done
years ago. One of these paintings had been dubbed “Deux Hearts” and Leon
decided it should be on the cover of Rainbow Deux, getting as far as approving
a draft concept for the artwork.
Carol
has overseen developing that draft into the final gatefold sleeve. It brings
together quotes, photographs and tributes in what is a reflection on the music,
relationships and philosophy of the sensual minister. Jerry “the gov” Brown,
Leon’s long-time sound engineer, was by his side throughout the project,
recording and mixing. The album was mastered by Toni Economides and Simon
Francis’ additional sensitive work makes sure this double LP sounds like it
should on vinyl.
Be
With’s first ever release was Leon’s eponymous LP. Re-issuing that album
planted the seed of a relationship that has grown to grant us the privilege of
presenting his crowning achievement. We know that Leon’s fans all over the
Earth will love Rainbow Deux. But we also hope that this album, the final entry
in a phenomenal body of work, will reach new fans and find fresh conduits for
the spirit of this oft-unsung hero of Soul.
Leon
always said “they will get it when I’m gone.”
He
also said that “the spirit never dies”…
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