Oscar Brown Jr. (October 10, 1926 – May 29, 2005) was an African-American singer, songwriter, playwright, poet, actor, and civil rights activist. His work blended the Arts with social consciousness. As the pioneer of the term and practice of “edutainment,” Oscar’s voice elevated culture, challenged norms and inspired generations, beginning in the 1960’s (if you want more about the man then check out the oscarbrownjr.org website.
Amber Weekes is a vocalist associated primarily with straight-ahead, classic, and contemporary vocal jazz. Her work emphasizes intelligible lyrics, measured phrasing, careful use of space, and emotional storytelling rather than vocal display for its own sake. She moves between intimate ballads, swing, blues, samba and bossa nova, gospel-inflected New Orleans arrangements, and orchestrated settings with strings and horns. Her repertoire draws from the Great American Songbook as well as socially observant material…
The album gets off to a good start with Mister Kicks, an upbeat number with a great arrangement and assured vocal delivery. Weekes’s sultry delivery on Afro Blue is an absolute delight — as are the solo spots that accompany her. The tempo drops for Strong Man and Weekes shows the versatility of her tonal range and emotional connection. Paul Jackson Jr interjects with good guitar lines but, for me, the standout on this number are the string arrangements: sumptuous but not cloying. But I Was Cool is a musically cool number and vocally humorous. Glen Berger gets to shine on the sax and I liked the way the Rhodes piano was used.
Brown Baby is a powerful song full of racial reality and stubborn hope that things will get better. The timing, phrasing and tonal colouring of Weekes’s performance is enthralling. The violin work here is excellent as, again, is the song’s arrangement. It is only when you listen (as opposed to just hearing) to the delivery of Oscar Brown’s lyrics on Hazel Hips do you appreciate just how clever the song is written but also how well Amber Weekes connects to the material: this is sassy and playful and full of bravado.
Work Song will be known to many listeners and it is a great tune. What makes this interpretation different is that it is sung as a female (third person) observer watching her man on the chain gang rather than the man (first person) describing his day on the chain gang. This is a potent reminder that those serving time are not the only people who suffer from incarceration. Ladies Man has a great groove, wonderful sax lines and a strong rhythm. Weekes sets up the song and then steps back to allow Adam “Ayejaye” Jackson to deliver charismatic lines with a manipulative undertone. Like Hazel’s Hips this tune needs to be heard to appreciate the songs structure and
To Oscar With Love closes out with the reflective and atmospheric A Tree And Me. This comes across as a personal, intimate and emotional performance made all the more engrossing by virtue of the fact that Amber Weekes is singing the musings of Oscar Brown Jr. The piano led opening lines set a tone of wishfulness against the backdrop of what should happen to us when we die. The tempo is slow but not sombre and then the style changes to that of a lullaby like slow Bossa Nova. This is the most beautiful of songs performed with an emotional connection that I found moving, sincere and evocative.
This album probably would have passed me by had it not been for an e-mail from an American, Roberta Lawrence, who brought it to my attention. I am not overly familiar with the works of Oscar Brown Jr but this release has pricked my interest and I will, over time, search out his albums and give them a listen. To Oscar With Love is a fine album delivered with Amber Weekes’s warm and expressive vocals. I like the way the release is structured and how the various musical styles employed prevent it feeling static, one dimensional. I must also pay tribute to the arranger(s), particularly of the string section, and the musicians who fill out the sound and give a lift to both the lyrics and the vocalist who sings them.
Tracklist: 01 – Mister Kicks; 02 – Afro Blue; 03 – Strong Man; 04 – But I Was Cool; 05 – Brown Baby; 06 – Hazel’s Hips; 07 – Rags And Old Iron; 08 – Hum Drum Blues; 09 – The Snake; 10 – Work Song; 11 – A Ladies Man; 12 – A Tree And Me.
To Oscar with Love was released 7 August 2026.
All tracks written by Oscar Brown Jr except Work Song written by Nat Adderly and Oscar Brown Jr
Musicians: Amber Weekes (vocals), Keith Fiddmont (saxophone track 1), Paul Jackson Jr. (guitar tracks 3, 8 & 12) Glen Berger (tenor saxophone track 4), Scotty Barnhart (trumpet on track 9), Tom Luer (saxophone track 11), Scott Mayo (flute tracks 2 & 12), Philip Whack (saxophone tracks 2 & 8), Mark Cargill (violin tracks 3 & 10), Gregory Cook (guitar tracks 4, 6 & 10), Chris Pierce (guitar/harmonica track 7), Adam “Ayejaye” Jackson (voice tracks 7, 8 & 11), Kevin Ricard (percussion tracks 2, 10 & 12), Tony Campodonico (acoustic and Rhodes piano tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11 & 12).
Strings and horns on tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 & 12 arranged and conducted by Mark Cargill.
