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Nate Smith: Kinfolk 2: See The Birds

By Mark Corroto
September 10, 2021
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If there were brick & mortar establishments called record stores today, one could imagine the challenge

Nate Smith

drums
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Nate Smith's Kinfolk projects would pose for an employee trying to file his latest releases. Those familiar with the drummer's work in the bands of

Chris Potter

saxophone, tenor
b.1971

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Potter,

Dave Holland

bass
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Holland, or

Alex Sipiagin

trumpet
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Sipiagin might place the discs in the jazz section, but then again he's worked with the jazz/pop/soul singers

José James

vocals
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jos�� James and

" data-original-title="" title="">Norah Jones and he heads up the funk/soul band The Fearless Flyers. Kinfolk 2: See The Birds is the second in a trilogy and it follows Kinfolk: Postcards From Everywhere (Waterbaby Music/Ropeadope, 2017).

As with the previous release, Smith draws from his musical background and influences. Like most folks born in 1974, he is a man of his era, with a connection to the music of Prince, Michael Jackson, the Black Rock Coalition, plus R&B, soul, and Hip Hop. To create a document other than Kinfolk would be to deny his eclectic listening past. Opening with the

Pat Metheny

guitar
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Pat Metheny-inspired "Altitude," he weaves Michael Mayo's wordless vocals around

Joel Ross

vibraphone

" data-original-title="" title="">Joel Ross' vibraphone with Smith on both drums and keyboards. The ease in which this recording moves between jazz, soul, funk, rock, and R&B is seamless. Kokayi raps on "Square Wheel" over Michael Mayo's soothing vocals, that segues in the battling "Band Room Freestyle" head bobbing funk. Elsewhere, Smith is joined by violinist

Regina Carter

violin
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Regina Carter on the pacific "Collision" and Living Colour's guitarist

Vernon Reid

guitar
b.1958

" data-original-title="" title="">Vernon Reid for the rock heavy "Rambo: The Vigilante," with

Jaleel Shaw

saxophone, alto
b.1978

" data-original-title="" title="">Jaleel Shaw's saxophone weaving notes over Smith's pulse. Vocalist Amma Whatt joins the band for a cover of Sting's "I Burn For You" and Brittany Howard ends the disc with the soul-drenched "Fly (For Mike)." Kinfolk is beyond category and eschews being compartmentalized. Thank you for that.

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Track Listing

Altitude ft. Joel Ross & Michael Mayo; 2. Square Wheel ft. Kokayi & Michael Mayo; Band Room Freestyle ft. Kokayi; Street Lamp; Don't Let Me Get Away ft. Stokley; Collision ft. Regina Carter; Meditation: Prelude; Rambo: The Vigilante ft. Vernon Reid; I Burn For You ft. Amma Whatt; See The Birds ft. Joel Ross & Michael Mayo; Fly (For Mike) ft. Brittany Howard.

Personnel

Nate Smith

drums

Brad Allen Williams

guitar

Fima Ephron

bass, electric

Jaleel Shaw

saxophone, alto

Jon Cowherd

piano

Brittany Howard

vocals

Amma Whatt

vocals

Joel Ross

vibraphone

Kokayi

vocals

Michael Mayo

vocals

Regina Carter

violin

Stokley Williams

vocals

Vernon Reid

guitar

Album information

Title: Kinfolk 2: See The Birds | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: Edition Records

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Philadelphia, PA

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New York, NY

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