Some albums are made. Others are earned. For Mark Adams, This is Neo Soul his 18th solo album falls firmly into the second category.
Adams spent more than two decades as the music director for Roy Ayers, one of the most influential figures in neo soul and jazz history. That relationship gave him a front row seat to greatness, but it also gave him something rarer: a deep, personal understanding of what made Ayers’ music endure. Now, with Ayers gone, Adams has channeled that understanding into a project that serves as both tribute and evolution.
A tribute built on real history
The album features four reimagined versions of Ayers’ classic recordings, each updated with an ear toward the dance floor while staying rooted in the emotional core that made the originals so beloved. Adams did not approach these tracks as a fan paying respects from a distance. He approached them as someone who spent years in the room where the music was made, watching Ayers decide in real time what worked and what did not.
That insider perspective shapes the album in ways that go beyond the familiar melodies. When Adams incorporated a full gospel choir into a reimagining of Don’t Stop the Feeling and pushed the tempo of Sweet Tears into something more propulsive, he was not guessing at what Ayers’ music could become. He was extending a conversation that had been going on for decades.
New territory for a seasoned artist
Despite his extensive catalog, This is Neo Soul represents a genuine departure for Adams. He has long been associated with smooth jazz, an instrumental world where the piano leads and vocals play a supporting role at best. This album flips that dynamic entirely. Every track features vocals, and the overall sound leans further into rhythm and danceability than anything he has released before.
The shift reflects an artist who is not content to repeat himself, even at a stage in his career when repetition would be entirely forgivable. Adams co-wrote the album’s original compositions alongside producer David Schwartz, and the project’s ten tracks balance the Ayers covers with fresh material that gives the tribute room to breathe.
A cast worthy of the occasion
The album’s ambition is matched by its personnel. Adams assembled 15 musicians whose résumés read like a survey of the last 40 years of American popular music. The ensemble includes Chris DeCarmine on drums, a longtime member of the Roy Ayers band; Dave Mullins on saxophone, known for his work with Gloria Gaynor; Monte Croft on vibraphone, a collaborator with Gladys Knight; Steve Kroon on percussion, who has recorded with Luther Vandross; and Kenyatta Beasley on trumpet, a fixture on Mary J. Blige‘s recordings.
Rounding out the group are Bill White on guitar, associated with Lonnie Liston Smith; Donald Nicks on bass, another Roy Ayers band veteran; and Emanuel “Chulo” Gatewood on bass, known for his work with Diana Reeves, among others.
On the vocal side, Adams brought in Kimberly Davis of Chic, Jonathan Quash, Miya Bas a cast member of Broadway’s The Lion King and members of a gospel choir, creating a sound that moves between intimacy and grandeur with surprising ease.
DeCarmine also contributed as a songwriter, co-writing the album’s lead single Open Letter, which underscores how deeply collaborative the entire project became.
Early response and availability
The reception since release has been encouraging. Adams has spoken warmly about the feedback from listeners and critics, expressing confidence in the project without overstating it. The album is available in multiple formats, including CD, digital download and a limited edition colored vinyl pressing for collectors.
Adams runs his own infrastructure around his music through DownJazz Records and his personal music publishing company, giving him full control over how his work reaches the world. It is a fitting arrangement for an artist who has always operated on his own terms.
With This is Neo Soul, Mark Adams has done something genuinely difficult honored a legend without being overshadowed by one. The album stands as a tribute, yes, but it also stands on its own.
