It seems to be the age of personal works. There’s hardly a new release without an accompanying text that doesn’t ramble or ramble on – or sometimes do both – about introspection, self-reflection, honest self-analysis or a journey through dreams and reality. Lalah Hathaway also looks back with *Made in Chicago*, but her new, sixth album offers substance.

That substance is multifaceted. On the one hand, there are her roots as the daughter of soul singer Donny Hathaway. Then there’s the concept: *Made in Chicago* is intended as a tribute to her birthplace, Chicago, as well as to her father’s influence. The lyrics are part of this, reflecting on her development within the genre, complete with emotions and all the ups and downs.

And the music is substantial too. For one thing, thanks to the band accompanying Hathaway. Her ten musicians, including five brass players, are practically half an orchestra. The sound can be correspondingly rich. Or crisp, as the opener ‘47th Street’ demonstrates right from the start: brass staccato in unison with tom rolls really build the tension.

The album’s nine tracks feel, at times, like a history lesson in soul. By turns bluesy, funky and melodic, yet always groovy – the range is both comprehensive and captivating. The same goes for Hathaway’s voice. Warm, slightly rough, often surprisingly tender and soothing, it draws you into every song.

Despite the fairly spacious soundstage, the atmosphere on *Made in Chicago* is intimate. The vocals are always within earshot; saxophone solos, such as in ‘Every Little Thing’, are understated and don’t knock you off your chair; indeed, for all its clarity and subtlety, the recording feels as though the ensemble is playing in a small room and is fully aware of it. Without a doubt, *Made in Chicago* is a real treat:

Excellent soul and as wonderful as a living-room concert that you could listen to again and again. (Thomas Semmler, HighResMac)

Lalah Hathaway, vocals
Phil Beaudreau, trumpet, guitar, background vocals, percussion, mixing engineer, mastering engineer, programming
Amber Navran, saxophone
Hailey Niswanger, saxophone
Elena Pinderhughes, flute
Justin Tyson, drums
Roland Gajate Garcia, percussion
Eric "Pikfunk" Smith, guitar, bass
Errol Cooney, guitar
Michael Aaberg, piano, Rhodes
MAE.SUN, tenor saxophone
J. Ivy, spoken word