Hip-Hop Media Training

Jeff Bradshaw Records Jazz Cover Of Mos Def’s ‘Umi Says’ On ‘Bone Appetit’

By | Hip-Hop Media Training – Mon, Apr 30, 2012 4:16 PM EDT

Jeff Bradshaw, "Bone Appetit" album cover.One of the many gems on Jeff Bradshaw's recently released sophomore album, "Bone Appetit," is a cover of Mos Def's 1999 song "Umi Says."

Teaming with Fatin Dantzler, half of the Kindred The Family Soul husband and wife duo, Bradshaw's remake thrives on Dantzler's comforting narrative vocals. The song is about advice Mos Def received from an elder that urged him to "shine his light on the world" so it's fitting that the live video features Dantzler sitting amidst the band and room full of youth.

Though Mos Def's version which appears on his 1999 solo debut, "Black on Both Sides," is already jazz heavy, Bradshaw and his band fill out the track with heightened congas and drums, an infectious bass guitar groove, and soothing trombone and saxophone solos. They even scale down some of Mos Def's verses to allow the musicians some shine.

The Hidden Beach album also includes covers of Janet Jackson's "Got Til It's Gone" with Marsha Ambrosius as well as "Til Tomorrow" with Raheem DeVaughn and "So Thankful" with Coko from SWV. Kindred The Family Soul also appears on "All Day Loving."

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