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Sidney Jacobs: If I Were Your Woman

By Richard J Salvucci
September 19, 2022
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Take a deep breath. Whether or not

Sidney Jacobs

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Sidney Jacobs came up with the somewhat offbeat title of this album (originally the property of

Gladys Knight

" data-original-title="" title="">Gladys Knight and the Pips) is irrelevant. What would matter is that there is a clear line of sonic and stylistic descent from

" data-original-title="" title="">Al Jarreau to Jacobs. Fans of Jarreau's style are going to enjoy Jacobs. He operates in a lower register and, all respect to Jarreau, with the same authority and, if anything, more power. Years ago, there were late night broadcast vehicles for singers like Jacobs, usually backed by potent, swinging bands that ran the gamut from soul to fusion. As late as the 1990s, you could have spent a great evening with these artists. Word got around, and reputations blossomed.

Times change, and so do styles, but talent is always an asset. If you sometimes hear some nod to Jarreau or to

Jon Hendricks

vocals
1921 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Jon Hendricks or

Bobby McFerrin

vocals
b.1950

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby McFerrin, well, be happy. Jacobs manages to channel all of them in different proportions, while adding a distinctively original element of his own. He does not sound like others, exactly, but he will put you in mind of them. There are allusions to

Aretha Franklin

vocals
1942 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Aretha Franklin,

Gladys Knight

" data-original-title="" title="">Gladys Knight, and Anita Baker. Maybe a touch of Donna Summer too.

There are some deeply engaging tracks in this performance, standards, like "On a Clear Day." But even when multitracked on "Like a Star" or Jacobs' unusual take (the

Nnenna Freelon

vocals
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Nnenna Freelon arrangement) of "I Feel Pretty," where the rhythm section cooks nicely, Jacobs draws you in. A gaggle of musical talent is backing Jacobs, so the entire production may have an "alternate" feel, but the scatted choruses create a genuine conversation, one that runs the gamut from Saturday night sexy to Sunday morning sanctified in "I'm Coming Back" or "Until You Come Back to Me." Love and loss is as much a part of this recording as it was in any Philly or Motown production, all the effects ("Human Typography") tossed in notwithstanding.

Only Jacobs can tell a listener what "Conversations with Mom" is about, although it is dedication. Up for something different, but mostly musical? Unconventional title for an unconventional but winning m��lange.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

We All; On A Clear Day; Facts; Weave The Tale; Stay Up; Like A Star; Know; I Feel Pretty; I'm Coming Back; Until You Come Back to Me; Human Typography; Been So Long; Light; A Little Bit; If I Were You Woman; Conversations With Mom.

Personnel

Sidney Jacobs

vocals

Gene Coye

drums

Solomon Dorsey

bass, acoustic

Ron Feuer

keyboards

Darryl Munyungo Jackson

percussion

Josh Johnson

saxophone, alto

Chris Lawrence

trumpet

Joshua Nelson

piano

Greg Por��e

guitar

Nolan Shaheed

trumpet

Joakim Toftgard

trombone

Rickey Woodard

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: If I Were Your Woman | Year Released: 2022 | Record Label: Self-Produced

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