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On & On

by José James

supported by
Mikely
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Mikely Good album. The live tour is where these songs really shine. Glad to support the artist. Favorite track: The Healer (feat. Ebban Dorsey).
pjschruck
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pjschruck Is it soul? Is it jazz? Is it spiritual? For sure it's great beautiful music.. Favorite track: The Healer (feat. Ebban Dorsey).
Slang of Ages Podcast
Slang of Ages Podcast thumbnail
Slang of Ages Podcast Fantastic new arrangements with a great band and Jose James’ vocals. How can this not be great? Add into it Erykah Badu’s gifts as a lyricist and you have yet another great Jose James album. Sure he’s a gifted composer but his arranging and vocals talents are just as formidable. I can't wait to get my vinyl! Favorite track: Gone Baby, Don't Be Long (feat. Ebban Dorsey).
daniemusique
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daniemusique I love Erykah Badu songs AND I discovered this formidable musician (José James) in a virtual concert from SFJazz (San Francisco).
C Oscar Hornbuckle
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C Oscar Hornbuckle The eloquent voice of Jose James!
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  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $7 USD  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Featuring photos by Janette Beckman, artwork by Hayden Miller and liner notes by José James

    Includes unlimited streaming of On & On via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 7 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      $15 USD or more 

     

  • Limited Edition Marigold Vinyl
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Limited edition Marigold 180 gram On & On vinyl. Features gatefold packaging with insert and liner notes by José James. Artwork by Hayden Miller and photos by Janette Beckman.

    Produced by José James
    Mixed by Pete Min at Lucy's Meat Market, LA
    Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios, London.

    Please note: signed On & On vinyl is available exclusively through the Rainbow Blonde store: rainbowblonde.myshopify.com/products/signed-on-on-limited-edition-marigold-vinyl-preorder. Bandcamp orders are unsigned

    Includes unlimited streaming of On & On via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
Oh my my my I'm feeling high My money's gone I'm all alone Too much to see The world keep turning Oh what a day What a day what a day Peace and blessings manifest with every lesson learned If your knowledge were your wealth then it would be well-earned If we were made in His image then call us by our name Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear us just the same Oh, on and on On and on My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone Oh, on and on and on and on All night 'til the break of dawn I go on and on On and on My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone Oh on and on and on and on Goddammit I'ma sing my song I was born under water with three dollars and six dimes Yeah you might laugh 'Cause you did not do your math Like one two three Damn, y'all feel that? Like one two three The world keeps turning Oh what a day What a day What a day The man that knows something knows that he knows nothing at all Does it seem colder in your summertime and hotter in your fall? If we were made in His image then call us by our names Most intellects do not believe in God But they fear us just the same Oh on and on and on and on My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone On and on On and on All night ‘til the vultures swarm I go on and on On and on My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone On and on and on and on Mad props to the God JaBorn I I'm feeling kinda hungry 'cause my high is coming down Don't feed me yours 'Cause your food does not endure I think I need a cup of tea The world keeps burning Oh what a day What a day, what a day You rush into destruction 'cause you don't have nothing left The mothership can't save you cause your ass is gon' get left If we were made in His image then call us by our names Most intellects do not believe in God but they fear us just the same Oh on and on and on and on My cypher keeps moving like a rolling stone Oh on and on On and on You can't fuck with me so just leave it alone Oh on and on On and on My cypher keeps moving Like a rolling stone Oh on and on and on and on And on
2.
Ooh, hey I'm trying to decide Which way to go Think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere Ooh, hey I'm trying to decide Which way to go Think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Tried to move but I lost my way Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Stopped to watch my emotions sway Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Knew the toll but I would not pay Didn't cha know Didn't cha know 'Cause you never know where the cards may lay Time to save the world Where in the world is all the time? So many things I still don't know So many times I've changed my mind Guess I was born to make mistakes But I ain't scared to take the weight So when I stumble off the path I know my heart will guide me back Ooh, hey I'm trying to decide Which way to go Think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere Said Ooh, hey, ooh I'm trying to decide Which way to go Think I made a wrong turn back there somewhere Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Tried to move but I lost my way Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Stopped to watch my emotions sway Didn't cha know Didn't cha know Knew the toll but I would not pay Didn't cha know Didn't cha know I said you never know how the cards may lay Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day Love is life And life is free Take a ride of life with me Free your mind And find your way There will be a brighter day
3.
My eyes are green Cause I eat a lot of vegetables It don't have nothing To do with your new friend My eyes are green Cause I eat a lot of vegetables It don't have nothing To do with your new friend I don't care I swear I'm too through with you I am You don't mean nothing to me So go ahead and be with your friend My eyes are green Cause I eats a lot of vegetables It don't have nothing To do with your new friend I'm insecure But I can't help it My mind says move on My heart lags behind But I don't love you any more I'm so insecure Never knew that love did this I can't remember The last time I Felt this way About somebody You've done something To my mind And I can't control it But I don't love you any more Yes I do I think Loving you is wrong Never knew that Love could hurt like this Never thought I would but I got dissed Makes me feel so sad and hurt inside Feel embarrassed so I want to hide Silly meI thought your love was true Change ya name to Silly E. Badu Before I heal it's gonna be a while I know it's gonna be awhile chile Hope it's not too late Too late, too late, too late, too late Feeling insecure Love has got me sore I don't want no more It’s too late I'm sorry I love you At first it was cool You told me You loved me too And then you lost your love Oh then you lost your love And then you lost your love You wanted me to go away But I can't go See I can't leave it's too late I can't leave it's too late I can't leave it's too late I can't leave it's too late Just make love to me Just one more time and then you'll see I can't believe I made a desperate plea What's with me? Me? Me, yeah You see I can't leave it's too late I can't leave it's too late I can't leave it's too late Don't you wanna be strong with me? You told me we had a family Wanna run to me when you're down and low But times get tough and there you go Out the door you wanna run again Open my arms and you come back in Wanna run 'cause you say that you were afraid But I’m your friend Never knew what a friendship was Never knew how to really love You can't be what I need you to And I don't know why I fuck with you I know our love will never be the same But I can't stand these growing pains
4.
Alhamdulillah Allah Jehovah Yahweh Dios Ma'at Jah Rastafari fyah Dance Sex, music, hip-hop It's bigger than religion Hip-hop It's bigger than my nigga Hip-hop It's bigger than the government This one is for Dilla Hip-hop We ain't dead Said the children Don't believe it We just made ourselves invisible Underwater Stove-top Blue flame Scientists Come out with your scales up Get baptized In the ocean of the hungry When niggas turn into gods Walls come tumbling Alhamdulillah Allah Jehovah Yahweh Dios Ma'at Jah Rastafari fyah Dance Sex, music, hip-hop It's bigger than religion Hip-hop It's bigger than my nigga Hip-hop It's bigger than the government This one is the healer Hip-hop This one is the healer Hip-hop Told you We ain't dead yet We’ve been living through your internet You don't have to believe everything you think We've been programmed Wake up We miss you They call you indigo We call you Africa Go get baptized in the ocean Of the people say Reboot Refresh Restart Fresh page New day O.G.’s New key All this jazz is making me rich
5.
As the wind blows in passing Baby I think I'm falling in love with you Where you go when you gone Baby what you do I know you’ve got to get your hustle on So gone Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Where you going with your stuff Baby what's the rush You got me feelin like a boy with a fiendish crush Hey When you're gone, where you go Girl I miss you much But I know you got to get your hustle on So gone Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long I know you got to get your hustle on So gone Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long I know you got to get your hustle on I can't wait to see what you’ll do It's not too much to follow you through Ooh I can't wait to see what you'll be I'm gon' be here 'cause I believe So gone, gone baby There's only one thing I'm still asking Why is it I feel you masking? If this love that you feel is really real And I know you got to get yo' hustle on You laugh when you’re asked "Baby, what's the rush?" When we touch wanna know is it love or lust Cause I feel like a boy with a fiendish crush And I know you got to get your hustle on So gone So gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, Gone gone baby, gone gone gone baby Gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be Gone baby, gone baby don't be long I can't wait to see how you move I like to watch you do what you do Ooh I can't wait to see what you'll be I'm gon' be here cause I believe So gone baby Gone baby, gone baby Gone baby, gone baby Gone baby, gone baby Gone baby, gone baby, Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Yeah Gone baby Gone baby Gone Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long Ooh Gone baby, gone baby, don't be long I know you got to get your hustle on So gone Don't be long So gone I know you got to get your hustle on
6.
I'm a recovering undercover over-lover Recovering from a love I can't get over Recovering undercover over-lover And now my common law lover thinks she wants another And I’d lie for you I‘d cry for you And pop for you And break for you And hate for you And hate you too If you want me to Ah-ooh, ah-ooh I’d pray for you Crochet for you Make it from scratch for you Leave out the latch for you Go to the store for you Do it some more for you Do what you want me to Guess I'm a fool for you I'm a recovering undercover over-lover Recovering from a love I can't get over Recovering undercover over-lover And now my common law lover thinks she wants another And I’d lie for you And cry for you And pop for you And break for you And hate for you And I'll hate you too If you want me to I gotta do Love for you Chop and screw for you Paint it red for you It's true, it's true Poor Badu Ah-ooh, ah-ooh Thought I was through with you Guess I'm a fool for you
7.
Bag lady you gone hurt your back Draggin' all them bags like that I guess nobody ever told you All you must hold onto Is you, is you, is you One day all them bags gon' get in your way One day all them bags gon' get in your way I said one day all them bags gon' get in your way One day all them bags gon' get in your way So pack light Pack light Pack light Pack light Bag lady you gon' miss your bus You can't hurry up 'cause you got too much stuff When they see you coming Niggas take off running From you It's true Oh yes, they do One day he gon' say you crowding my space One day he gon' say you crowding my space I said one day he gon' say you crowding my space One day he gon' say you crowding my space So pack light Pack light Pack light Pack light Girl I know Sometimes it's hard and We can't let go Oh when someone hurts you oh so bad inside You can't deny it You can't stop crying So If you start breathin' You won't believe it You'll feel so much better So much better baby Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go Betcha love can make it better Betcha love can make it better Betcha love can make it better Betcha love can make it better Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go Let it go, let it go, let it go, let it go

about

On & On: José James Sings Badu

When José James released No Beginning No End 2 (2020), a collaborative effort that paired the forward-looking vocalist with a global all-star cast including Ledisi, Aloe Blacc and Laura Mvula, it was apparent that the genre-defying artist was back to stake his claim as the jazz singer for the hip-hop generation. In that light his new project, On & On, finds James throwing down the gauntlet on the past 100 years of jazz singing while charting a path forward for the culture.

“It’s simple” James explains. “Jazz singing has always been about interpreting the highest level of standards of your time. And for my generation Erykah Badu has been one of the most innovative and incisive songwriters. Her work has proven to be groundbreaking in a social, musical and artistic sense.”

The album, produced by James with contributions from like-minded musicians Big Yuki (A Tribe Called Quest), Ben Williams (Kamasi Washington) and Jharis Yokley (My Brightest Diamond) investigates the breadth of Badu’s iconic catalog, from her groundbreaking debut album Baduizm to her contemporary masterpieces New Amerykah Pt. 1 and 2.

But make no mistake: This is thoroughly a jazz album. Conceived in the spirit of Herbie Hancock’s River: The Joni Letters, James artfully draws upon his experiences with modern masters McCoy Tyner, Robert Glasper and Flying Lotus to create a new sonic landscape through an improvisatory lens.

James also builds on his reputation as a modern jazz tastemaker by introducing featured horn players Ebban Dorsey and Diana Dzhabbar. “As an artist and performer Badu has consistently created opportunities for young artists both on and off her stage,” James explains. “It only made
sense to include the next generation.”

credits

released January 20, 2023

José James - vocals, bells, singing bowl, Bali metal tongue drum
Ebban Dorsey - alto saxophone (tracks 1, 2, 4, 5)
Diana Dzhabbar - flute, alto saxophone (tracks 1, 3, 7)
BIGYUKI - piano, fender rhodes, wurlitzer, hammond B-3, synthesizers
Ben Williams - bass
Jharis Yokley - drums

Produced by José James
Mixed by Pete Min at Lucy's Meat Market, LA
Mastered by Frank Arkwright at Abbey Road Studios, London

Recorded on June 22nd, 2022 by Ariel Shafir at Dreamland Studios, Woodstock
Recorded on July 15th, 2022 by Vincent Helbers at Flowriders Studios, Amsterdam
Additional recording by José James at Rainbow Blonde East and by BIGYUKI at Tree House Studio NYC.

Photos by Janette Beckman
Design by Hayden Miller
Art Direction by José James
Styling by José James
Clothing by Levis, Kapital Japan and Nike SB

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José James New York, New York

Jazz singer for the hip-hop generation

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