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I believe when Jonathan Butler entitled his latest disc So Strong, it had something to do with all the trails he has endured, especially in his earlier years.Through an exciting yet sometimes frustrating road as an adored musician, the internationally-known vocalist/guitarist grasped onto his faith in Jesus.Ever since he left his home country of South Africa where he experienced the intense apartheid era growing up, he started making his presence known in the R&B, world music, jazz and dance idioms. Besides his vocal and instrumental skills, he has written songs for the likes of one-time label mate, BillyOcean and one of his guitar heroes, George Benson.Despite being flustered about how he was treated as an artist, he traveled back to his birthplace to check in on his family still caught in the middle of the apartheid era.He recaptured his South African childhood in the extremely poignant release from 2000 – Story of Life – and played for an audience that included the influential South African leader, Nelson Mandela.For a season, Butler declared his faith with Brand New Day and collaborating with Juanita Bynum on Gospel GoesClassical.In essence, no matter what he decides to sing about, it is unquestionable that his gritty passion for musical has inspired audiences all over the world.
Butler was born in Cape Town, South Africa into great poverty and the youngest of twelve siblings.But the undeniable strength of music and the power of prayer held the family together.Under Butler’s mother, they formed a singing group with Butler as lead vocalist. After his contributions with the country’s top jazz/rock group, Pacific Express, he broke as a solo artist.His increased fame as a pop star garnered him the honor of being the first black musician played on white radio stations.Ironically, the harsh political climate caused Butler anxiety, such as how he was treated while touring and being stifled with government censorship in his music.After being signed to U.K. label Jive at age thirteen, his international level of fame would slowly rise.He eventually changed his home base to London, England where he could further stretch his creative potential.In his thirty-plus year recording stand, Butler has blossomed from a not too bad R&B/pop artist into a sophisticated vocalist and poised guitarist.From the pop ballad “Lies”; to a soulful take on James Taylor’s “Fire &Rain”; to the funky original praise song “Don’t You Worry,” Butler has turned in a complete urban music package.
Some of the meat behind So Strong undoubtedly comes from some recent challenges in Butler’s life, including the loss of a close musical comrade Waymon Tisdale, the loss of his mother, and his wife’s battle with cancer.This Mack Avenue Records/Rendezvous Music disc is his first studio effort in three years and a return to a smooth jazz/R&B vibe since 2005’s Jonathan.For starters, the title track might resonate for John Legend fans.Butler reaches for his love of gospel on “You Got to Believe in Something.”The modern bossa nova in “Make Room for Me” showcases Butler’s nimble guitar lines.“Feels So Good” is a chill to the bone delight that lounge DJ’s could get their hands on.Angie Stone joins in a riveting duet on “Be Here with You.”I always appreciate when voice and guitar match wits as in the case of “Good Times.”The pop classic “I Can See Clearly Now” by Johnny Nash once again proves Butler knows how to reconstruct covers.
Like much of his previous work, Butler handles most of the songwriting and instrumentation.I recommend So Strong for the most part with the exceptions of a couple of run-of-the-mill arrangements.Overall, Butler exudes a confidence in whatever he performs and he has definitely passed those harsh tests he endured throughout life with flying colors.
