Water
Gregory Porter · 2010
69 min · 11 tracks · blues
A rich blend of soulful vocals and intricate jazz arrangements that evoke a timeless emotional depth.
Top tracks — play these first
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1960 What? — This track features a powerful narrative that reflects on social issues with a haunting melody and poignant lyrics, making it a standout commentary on the past and present.
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Feeling Good — Porter’s rendition breathes new life into this classic, showcasing his vocal prowess and emotional range, while connecting deeply with themes of liberation and hope.
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Skylark — His interpretation of this standard highlights Porter's ability to blend intricate jazz phrasing with soulful expression, revealing his respect for the genre's roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Porter's debut showcases strong songwriting and unique vocals, establishing his presence in contemporary jazz.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow tempo track, gradually introducing more upbeat songs in the middle before returning to a reflective tone in the final tracks.
- Gregory Porter's vocal lines often feature intricate phrasing that intertwines with the jazz arrangements, creating a conversational dynamic.
- Several tracks incorporate rich instrumental solos that extend beyond traditional song structures, allowing for improvisation and exploration.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing for reflection
- rich vocals for intimate moments
- explorative themes across tracks
- for late-night listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeks immediate gratification
- prefers short standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2010, Water was Gregory Porter's debut album, establishing him as a significant voice in contemporary jazz. This album came after years of honing his craft in clubs and performances, showcasing his unique vocal style and songwriting ability.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Michael Kiwanuka· Leon Bridges· Andra Day
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Illusion 3:03
- 2 Pretty 6:20
- 3 Magic Cup 6:12
- 4 Skylark 8:19
- 5 Black Nile 4:56
- 6 Wisdom 9:31
- 7 1960 What? 12:27
- 8 But Beautiful 5:35
- 9 Lonely One 5:42
- 10 Water 4:02
- 11 Feeling Good 3:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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