Featured Release

On *The Wise Ones*, Gretchen Parlato brings together Robert Glasper, Gerald Clayton, Mark Guiliana, Alan Hampton, Meshell Ndegeocello, Amber Navran, Becca Stevens, and others for a recording shaped by voice, Rhodes, acoustic piano, guitar, bass, drums, percussion, synthesizers, woodwinds, and kora. The album returns to musical relationships associated with an earlier chapter of Parlato’s work while placing them inside a mature ensemble language built on space, groove, layered color, and close rhythmic placement. Across original compositions, collaborative writing, and reimagined songs by Stevie Wonder and Roland Orzabal, the program moves through contemporary vocal jazz, soul, song form, and chamber-like texture with an emphasis on balance, restraint, and ensemble listening.

From the album

From the album, the recording’s balance between familiar song material and Parlato’s understated ensemble language becomes especially clear on “If It’s Magic.” Arranged by Robert Glasper for voice, Rhodes, bass, drums, and percussion, the Stevie Wonder composition is kept close to the center of the arrangement. The reduced setting leaves room for harmonic color, lyric clarity, and the small rhythmic details that shape Parlato’s phrasing. Rather than expanding the song outward, the music draws the listener inward, illustrating the album’s larger approach to space, tone, and shared motion.

Listen to the album

*Recommended listening: begin with “If It’s Magic,” then let the album unfold.*

Album Details

Artist: Gretchen Parlato
Album: The Wise Ones
Label: Edition Records
Release Date: September 11, 2026
Primary Format: Digital / physical release information available through Edition Records and Bandcamp

Personnel

Gretchen Parlato — voice
Alan Hampton — voice, guitar, piano, bass
Mark Guiliana — drums, percussion
Robert Glasper — piano, Rhodes
Gerald Clayton — piano, Rhodes/Wurlitzer, celeste, pump organ
Meshell Ndegeocello — voice, bass
Amber Navran — voice, woodwinds, synthesizers
Becca Stevens — voice, kora
Jacob Mann — synthesizers
Josh Mease — guitar
Max Bryk — synthesizers
Marley Guiliana — voice
Lauren Desberg — handclaps

Production

Produced by Gretchen Parlato and Alan Hampton
Additional production by Mark Guiliana
Executive Producer: Dave Stapleton
Engineer / Mixing: Pete Min
Additional Engineering: Alan Hampton, Mark Guiliana, Becca Stevens
Mastering: Dave Darlington, Bass Hit Recording, New York
Artwork: Oli Bentley / Split
Photography: Mike Quain

Track Listing

1. “Capricorn” feat. Alan Hampton
2. “Never Come Down” feat. Meshell Ndegeocello
3. “Rainbow”
4. “The Wise Ones” feat. Amber Navran
5. “If It’s Magic”
6. “It’s You” feat. Alan Hampton
7. “Mad World” feat. Becca Stevens & Alan Hampton
8. “Already Gone” feat. Robert Glasper
9. “Block The Sun”
10. “In My Bed” feat. Alan Hampton
11. “Landslide” feat. Alan Hampton

Composers / Writers

“Capricorn” — Music by Alan Hampton; lyrics by Alan Hampton and Matt Parker
“Never Come Down” — Music by Gretchen Parlato and Mark Guiliana; lyrics by Gretchen Parlato and Alan Hampton
“Rainbow” — Robert Glasper and Gretchen Parlato
“The Wise Ones” — Music by Amber Navran and Gretchen Parlato; lyrics by Gretchen Parlato
“If It’s Magic” — Stevie Wonder; arranged by Robert Glasper
“It’s You” — Alan Hampton
“Mad World” — Roland Orzabal; arranged by Gretchen Parlato and Becca Stevens
“Already Gone” — Music by Max Bryk, Gretchen Parlato, and Amber Navran; lyrics by Gretchen Parlato
“Block The Sun” — Robert Glasper and Gretchen Parlato
“In My Bed” — Josh Mease
“Landslide” — Josh Mease

Additional Note

The Japanese edition includes the bonus track “If It Was,” an Alan Hampton composition featuring Gretchen Parlato, Alan Hampton, Gerald Clayton, and John Clayton.