More about: Jeff Goldblum

Charismatic, playful and leaving the floor open for a surprising array of female features, Jeff Goldblum’s sophomore solo album I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This is a treat for jazz- aficionados, and newbies alike. 

There’s something incredibly pleasing about hearing the distinct vocal skills of artists such Miley Cyrus, Fiona Apple, Sharon Van Etten etc being coloured with a sultry screen of jazz music. 

The album – which follows the 67-year-old actor’s 2018 debut Capitol Studios Sessions and celebrated Glastonbury set this summer - starts off with the previously released ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’ featuring indie star Sharon Van Etten ,who proves her genre-hopping sensibilities in the smoky, languid track which highlights her easy vocal delivery. 

An inviting record that launches into a relaxed yet energetic soundscape, from the get-go, maintaining it all throughout, I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This is notably driven by vocal talent in the first half ; whether on ‘The Beat Goes On’ where the sweet vocals of Inara George which is accentuated by fluid trumpet solos, or the saxophone-driven  ‘The Thrill Is Gone’ highlighted by the powerful hold Miley Cyrus’ vocal skills, it’s the range of vocal talent that stays fresh in your memory along after the music stops.  

The features from brilliant female talent continues in the second half – after the instrumental masterpiece that is ‘The Kicker’- with Anna Calvi’s low vibrato on Wes Montgomery’s ‘Four On Six’ and Marianne Faithfull’s ‘Broken English’ where a playful splash of electric guitar offsets the light touch of Goldblum’s piano. 

This lightness and subtlety of Goldblum’s playing is a consistent part of the 11-track album as he leaves the spotlight empty for others to take, content to sit back and play bandleader; his participation is minimal, yet impactful as he lets Gregory Porter’s brilliant soulful flourish take over the album’s first duet ‘Make Someone Happy’, lets the happy-go-lucky sonics stand out on ‘If I Knew Then’ and celebrates tenderness and innocent lyricism in his solo finale, the lullaby-esque  ‘Little Man You’ve Had a Busy Day’, rather than make it about his own vocal skills. 

Rich and complex, yet simple and sweet, Goldblum definitely knows the art of creating good music – having grown up learning piano in Pittsburgh and playing lounge gigs with the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra – as he masterfully delivers an accomplished and nuanced record that doesn’t push his presence forward but still firmly establishes his solid musical prowess.  

I Shouldn't Be Telling You This is out now via Decca Records.

More about: Jeff Goldblum