Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, and composer Wyclef Jean has released his first strictly jazz album, titled Q Theory, through Megaforce and The Orchard. The project serves as the second volume of his seven-part Quantum Leap series and features a tracklist that is 90 percent instrumental.
Named in honor of his mentor, the late Quincy Jones, the album introduces what Jean calls Rara Jazz. The musical style blends Caribbean rhythms, Latin American sounds, African percussion, and Middle Eastern influences with traditional jazz fusion techniques inspired by the cultural heritage of Hispaniola.
The album features a global lineup of guest musicians and collaborators, including Robert Glasper, Harvey Mason, Yussef Dayes, Theo Croker, Elena Pinderhughes, Niia, Weedie Braimah, Axel Tosca, Godwin Louis, Jean Caze, Mushy G. Widmaier, and Yissell Sanchez. Tracks on the project include “Rocinha,” “Lady Havana,” “French Quarter,” “Harlem Nights,” and “Toussaint Louverture.”
Q Theory follows the release of the first volume in the series, Clef Notes, which focused on hip-hop. The overall Quantum Leap project will feature seven consecutive albums released over the course of a year, with each seven-track volume exploring a different musical genre, including reggae, gospel, country, R&B, and Haitian Kompa.
The release arrives alongside a series of career milestones for Jean, who recently reunited with Fugees co-founder Ms. Lauryn Hill for live performances ahead of the 30th anniversary of their album The Score. The duo is also scheduled to perform together at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park alongside Lenny Kravitz and John Legend.
Click here to listen to Q Theory
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