(July 6, 2024) While there were several musicians that he considered heroes, Vincent Ingala’s career interest was confirmed via a Sam Butera saxophone solo on “Oh, Marie,” fronted by jump blues/swing legend, Louis Prima. And since his self-released debut at age 17 in 2010, Ingala has raised praises for Butera’s rich melodic work while enjoying a fruitful career leaning prominently on soul and funk, including several Billboard Smooth Jazz appearances and a Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year honor. Besides his proficiency on tenor sax, Ingala mastered several instruments, vocals and production, all of which played an essential role on his seven CDs.
For his upcoming eighth release, Escape with Me (Shanachie Entertainment), Ingala features The Delfonics’ sweet vocal bouquet from 1967, “La-La (Means I Love You).” However, Ingala shifts artistic gears on another cover from Escape with Me and initial First Listen spotlight with the mid-nineties dance club classic, “Free.” This empowering platinum #1 Billboard anthem originally performed by Ultra Naté is now decorated with a graceful lead vocal from labelmate and SoulTracks favorite, Lindsey Webster.
While this song choice strays from Ingala’s soulful jazz territory, his animated saxophone pumps juicy blues overtones that would make Prima (and Butera) proud, over an arrangement sticking to the original pulsating beats, guitar flourishes, and gospel-tinged background voices. As for inviting Webster to the dance celebration, Ingala says: “She has that signature sound that really resonates when you hear her. You know instantaneously it’s her – the sign of a true artist.” Let the summer be officially launched by listening up to Ingala and Webster’s declaration of freedom.
By Peggy Oliver
