First Look: The Baylor Project brings joy again on "We Swing"

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    (October 23, 2021) One of the best feelings as a music journalist is to find an artist who is excelling by being true to his or her artistic vision. And for the past half decade or so, that has been the joy that we at SoulTracks have received from observing Marcus and Jean Baylor, aka The Baylor Project, taking their off-the-beaten-path vision and turning it into one of the most special acts on the scene today.

    At a time when commercial R&B music has moved in a direction that feels formulaic and even contrived, certain artists have foregone the easy, less creative path to success, and have followed their own muse. For Marcus and Jean, it has been to embrace the aura of classic jazz and be-bop, with an exquisite focus on musicianship and production. It led them to a SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award victory as Best New Artist in 2017, as well as subsequent Grammy success.

    (October 23, 2021) One of the best feelings as a music journalist is to find an artist who is excelling by being true to his or her artistic vision. And for the past half decade or so, that has been the joy that we at SoulTracks have received from observing Marcus and Jean Baylor, aka The Baylor Project, taking their off-the-beaten-path vision and turning it into one of the most special acts on the scene today.

    At a time when commercial R&B music has moved in a direction that feels formulaic and even contrived, certain artists have foregone the easy, less creative path to success, and have followed their own muse. For Marcus and Jean, it has been to embrace the aura of classic jazz and be-bop, with an exquisite focus on musicianship and production. It led them to a SoulTracks Readers' Choice Award victory as Best New Artist in 2017, as well as subsequent Grammy success.

    Now, with their second album, Generations, proving to be a hit, the Baylors have issued a wonderful new video for "We Swing (The Cypher)," featuring guest performances by Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn. Set at the kind of house party that we would kill to attend, "We Swing" opens with Marcus and his band creating the mood. The ladies take it from there, singing and scatting with delight, vocalizing the cypher to the mysterious question about "why we swing."

    Marcus and Jean tell us, "We were elated to have Jazzmeia Horn and the legendary Dianne Reeves help us bring this song and video to life. What an amazing experience and honor to bring together three generations of jazz vocalists to celebrate the spirit of jazz music!"

    This song and video are pure joy, and a perfect nighttime tonic for those wanting a break from the day or from the cacophony of the world. Check out "We Swing (The Cypher)" below, and welcome The Baylor Project back to SoulTracks.

    By Chris Rizik

    The Baylor Project feat.
    Dianne Reeves and Jazzmeia Horn
    "Why We Swing (The Cypher)"