Gretchen Parlato The Wise Ones Review: Snappy Grooves and Languid 2026

Gretchen Parlato's The Wise Ones review reveals a jazz singer at her most inventive, blending snappy grooves and languid covers with her signature wordless vocals. Since her 2000s breakthrough, Parlato has remained one of the most arresting voices in contemporary jazz, and this new album—her third since returning from a six-year parenting hiatus in 2021—confirms her unique artistry.

Gretchen Parlato The Wise Ones Review: Album Overview

Backed by longtime partners like guitarist Lionel Loueke, multi-instrumentalist Alan Hampton, and percussionist husband Mark Guiliana, Parlato crafts a rich tapestry. Guests include Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Becca Stevens, adding layers of soul, funk, and folk-rock. The result is an album that feels both intimate and expansive, with Parlato's voice as the guiding light.

Snappy Grooves and Languid Covers

The title track and 'Never Come Down' showcase Parlato's rhythmic dexterity. 'Never Come Down' is a snappy groover built on Guiliana's hustling drums and Ndegeocello's vocals and bass. Parlato's fast, anthemic rephrasing of a catchy hook could easily fill a dancefloor. In contrast, covers like Herbie Hancock's 'Butterfly' are languid and spellbinding. She opens with a soft handclap on a Brazilian groove, then turns it into a wordless vocal hook, honoring Hancock's sister Jean's lyrics with awe.

Musical Collaborations and Guest Features

Robert Glasper's soft-funky 'Rainbow' might veer into smooth-jazz territory, but Parlato's immaculate phrasing and clever pacing of backing vocals gently resist. Meshell Ndegeocello's contributions on bass and vocals add depth, while Becca Stevens brings a folk-tinged warmth. Each collaboration highlights Parlato's ability to morph words in and out of abstract sound, timing phrases between emphatic in-breaths like cymbal hits.

Key Takeaways from The Wise Ones

• Parlato's wordless vocals and rhythmic phrasing remain unmatched.
• The album balances upbeat grooves with introspective covers.
• Collaborations with Glasper, Ndegeocello, and Stevens enrich the sound.
• Her six-year hiatus has only deepened her artistic vision.

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