(February 27, 2026) Sax great Gerald Albright has been in our lives for almost four decades, with 23 albums and a place among the pantheon of jazz greats. And he’s just added to his enviable discography with the new EP Hot Chocolate, another collection of tasty songs riding the R&B/Jazz border.
On our latest First Listen we’re featuring a scrumptious collab between Mr. Albright with SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award winning vocalist Lalah Hathaway, “So Hard To Say Goodbye.” SoulTrackers know that Miss Lalah makes everything she touches shine and she adds her usual flair on the refrains of this very attractive, mostly instrumental midtempo number. And Albright is in fine form, delivering an earworm that also gives him and his band a chance to jam.
This is near perfect get-up-outta-bed music for a Friday morning, and we think you’re going to dig it. Check out “So Hard To Say Goodbye” below, and welcome these two longtime faves back to SoulTracks.
By Chris Rizik
