Concert Review: Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life, Gregory Porter, And Another Awesome BRIC Concert

BRIC continues to be amazing. Free Concerts GALORE! This round was Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life and Gregory Porter. These jazz-soul stylings were the perfect blend for the light breeze of July 28. As the rhythms infuse with gentle air, one could not help but relax.

I have to say that each BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! concert is different from the last. Sharon Jones was like and element of fire on stage that had been transported from the Doo- Wop 1950’s. Jon Batiste resurrected New Orleans Mardi Gras mid- Prospect Park. Meanwhile, Tame Impala felt like a fall into the rabbit hole of Alice and Wonderland. Thus, what did Marcus Strickland and Gregory Porter bring: a chillness that makes you feel like lying into a beat like a comfy bed.

I can’t reiterate enough how wonderful live music is in this picturesque setting. Add that both Strickland and Porter give vibrations of cool calm, and you will be surprised at your willingness to be in the moment. It almost caught me off guard how trance like the music was, but beauty can be like that. When you hear Strickland’s sax it feels like a call to sentiment; you are going to feel this music note vibrate in your soul. It is an awakening from apathy, which jazz, at its core, is all about. Songs like, Alive and Celestelude were magnificently elevated by the crisp atmosphere, and made me feel like I was lying in a warm bed with some hot cocoa  and staring a the ceiling like it was playing a film of my dreams. I know that is specific scenario for a specific sentiment, but who has not stared at a wall and thought. When Marcus Strickland plays he makes music your ceiling to stare at and wonder.

Although most were there for Gregory Porter, I went to discover and grow  in love with Marcus Strickland & Twi- life. Gregory Porter might as well be a giant. bleeding heart on stage. His vocals are pure beats of emotions. Moreover, his natural energy of lovingness, for both his music and the crowd, makes him unbelievably charismatic. You, literally, want to hug his songs, and give every ounce of attention you can offer his deserving, luscious voice. He has been compared to likeness of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway because of his rich intonations and ability to make a note drip with soul. When he sings you feel like, it is the voice of wisdom telling you its stories to help you grow into a better person. Honestly, he squeezes sentiments out music and audiences like a juicy lemon; no matter what you do it is going to add to the flavor of your spirit. Yet, coming in, I knew of the wonders of Gregory Porter. Thus, my aim was to discover something new in Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life, and I did.

Admittedly, I cannot call myself a jazz fan. Although I love and admire the genre, I have seen those that LOVE it.  I know jazz aficionados that would give anything (including their loving family) to travel back in time and see Billie Holiday. I always appreciated the shear beauty of jazz as one of the first and few genres whose pure essence is to come from one heart and reach another. It was historically born from torn feelings of pain and the elevating ones of happiness. Just on that you have to respect jazz, and are bound to find, at least, one song that speaks to you. Luckily, Marcus Strickland & Twi-Life, along with Gregory Porter, had several, and I was happy to add them to my musical repertoire. Each offered tracks that could make you cry with how open and moved with sentiment you became. It is strange to say that something beyond you can have such power, but I am happy that that something is magnificent music.

  

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn series is really fun and lovely. You will cannot have anything, but a good time, when you are in pretty park listening to the the top, Grammy Award- Winning artists of our time. Click Here to see their line-up. Click here to learn more about Gregory Porter, and click here to learn more about Marcus Strickland and Twi-life.