Two months ago Joseph J. Jones released his debut EP, titled Hurricane, via Communion Records, an event which is usually followed by an artist receding into the background for some time. Not Jones. This Essex-born soulman recently treated us to the artful ‘Blood Lockdown’, reworking two tracks from Kanye West, cited as one of his strongest influences along with Johnny Cash, Chet Baker and football team Westham United. The talented vocalist also channels two more great, although lesser known, figures - his pugilist father, who was an ABA Champion, and his musical grandfather, who was a jazz guitarist with the BBC. In this live performance video we see Joseph J. Jones taking a fighting stance surrounded by a ring of onlookers as he faces a familiar friend in EP track ‘Stay’. He begins reservedly, almost mournfully, as Jones’ much heralded voice steps out from the darkness. There’s undoubtedly a sense of the rock frontman in his gravelled tone, but it’s the subtle improvisation as he picks through the bones of this song that reveals the jazz musician. The whole performance is passionate and charismatic, accentuated by the sample pad wizardry that lifts and live loops Jones vocal reaches. Filmed in one take at Peckham’s The Nines, you can see how JJJ conjures an atmosphere that is commanding yet vulnerable, soulful yet stark. It’s an open invitation into this artist’s secluded thoughts. - HT