Working with trumpeter/composer/arranger Terence Blanchard, vocalist Jubilant Sykes revives and reworks the sound of traditional African-American spirituals and hymns. These hardly sound dated, since Sykes and Blanchard have found the core of the songs and given them fresh, unpredictable, jazzy arrangements. Throughout, Sykes sings with precision and passion, making Jubilant a thoroughly impressive and original debut.
Easter is a kind of funny time to exchange gifts ("Here, congratulations on Jesus rising from the dead! I got you a gift!") but what the heck. God loves a cheerful giver and all that.In my opinion, anyone who digs old gospel songs can appreciate this awesome recording by Jubilant Sykes, a classical singer who tears up the old churchy favorites with a fantastic jazz trumpeter whose name I don't ...
 "Jubilant")
