The jazz connoisseurs out there might already be familiar with Russ Lorenson. A gifted vocalist known for his interpretations of the Great American Songbook, the San Francisco-based creative has been celebrated by notable tastemakers such as DownBeat, Jazz Review and All About Jazz. Having enticed a global audience over the years, Lorenson returns today with ‘A Little Travelin’ Music (20th Anniversary Edition)’, a wonderful record that pays homage to Russ’ original 2006 release, an album that introduced Lorenson’s warm baritone voice and storyteller’s approach to classic repertoire.
Re-discovered twenty years later, ‘A Little Travelin’ Music (20th Anniversary Edition)’ is not a reissue per sé. In a bid to transport the original record into the current decade, Lorenson embarked on a meticulous editing process, tweaking mixes, diving deep into the production side of things, and even replacing some of the original digital piano parts with a real grand piano. Some of those are arguably subtle changes, yet they have a massive effect on the overall result. While the album obviously carries a great deal of nostalgic character, it’s also very relevant in today’s music industry.
Reiterating the creative ethos that propels the new album, Lorenson explains: “The guiding question behind the anniversary edition became: what survives after twenty years? What proves essential, what merits refinement, and what must evolve for the music to remain contemporary while honouring its original spirit?” It looks like he found the answer to such a question, compiling ‘A Little Travelin’ Music (20th Anniversary Edition)’ with a renewed sense of authenticity and modern allure.
Recommended! Discover ‘A Little Travelin’ Music (20th Anniversary Edition)’ now: