Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Warren Wolf: Reincarnation

Warren Wolf: Reincarnation

By Dan Bilawsky
April 15, 2020
View read count

Less a true rebirth than a return to the stylistic suggestions that surrounded Warren Wolf's ears in the 1990s, Reincarnation finds the forty-year-old vibraphonist folding his serious jazz persona within settings that lean heavily on soul and R&B. Embracing the grooves, glazes and hooks endemic to those realms, Wolf delivers music that's both slick and smile-inducing.

Paving the way for what's to come down the road, Baltimore radio personality Marcellus "Bassman" Shepard introduces the "new" Warren Wolf to us with the brief "Smooth Intro." Then it's off to the world of glee and groove on "For Ma," a dedication to Wolf's late mother. With foundational pocket-playing from church-reared drummer

Carroll Dashiell III

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Carroll Dashiell III and jazz-fusion electric bass dynamo

Richie Goods

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Richie Goods, tasteful contributions from pianist

Brett Williams

keyboards

" data-original-title="" title="">Brett Williams and a catchy melody courtesy of Wolf's mallets, the song, which nods to the Wolf family matriarch's love of Motown and vintage soul, is brimming with optimism.

Continuing down hybridized roads, Wolf lays claim to all that glistens and flows. There's "Vahbying," which relies heavily on a bounding vamp that offers welcome blowing room; "In The Heat of the Night," a steamy and sultry slow-joint with vocalist

Imani-Grace Cooper

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Imani-Grace Cooper and Shepard—plus guest guitarist Mark Whitfield—upping the humidity factor; "The Struggle," a largely reflective nod to personal heartbreak; and the Isley Brothers' "For the Love of You," a number that looks romance square in the eyes.

Whether thinking fondly of his musical past, his mother's influence, his youngest children (on the touching "Sebastian and Zo?"), or life's blessings, love is paramount in Wolf's vision. It's the through line that makes Reincarnation a unified statement. Less muscle and more heart, this is Warren Wolf in his most tenderly expressive stance.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Smooth Intro; For Ma; Vahybing; In The Heat of the Night; The Struggle; For the Love of You; Sebastian and Zo?; Livin' The Good Life; Come And Dance With Me; Smooth Outro.

Personnel

Warren Wolf

vibraphone

Additional Instrumentation

Brett Williams: Fender Rhodes (1, 4, 6, 7, 10), piano (2, 3, 5, 7-9); Richie Goods: electric bass (1-7, 10), upright bass (8); Mark Whitfield: guitar (4, 6); Carroll "CV" Dashiell III: drums, percussion (1-8, 10); Imani- Grace Cooper: vocals (4-8); Marcellus "Bassman" Shepard: vocals (1, 4, 7, 10).

Album information

Title: Reincarnation | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Mack Avenue Records

PREVIOUS / NEXT

Midnight Stroll
< Previous

Revolution
Next >

Warren Wolf Concerts

Oct 25 Sat

The Warren Wolf & Helen Sung Duo

Stony Run Meeting House
Baltimore, MD

Nov 25 Tue

Stream

BIRCKHEAD presents The Exchange ft. Warren Wolf

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Dec 3 Wed

Stream

Warren Wolf Christmas Vibes

Keystone Korner Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Support All About Jazz

All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who make it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

Go Ad Free!

To maintain our platform while developing new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity, we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for as little as $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination vastly improves your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.