Description
Jon Batiste – We Are – Deluxe Compact Disc
Released as an expanded version of his 2021 breakthrough album, WE ARE (Deluxe) showcases Jon Batiste at his most ambitious and culturally resonant. Building on the original album—which won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards—the deluxe edition adds additional tracks and context, deepening the project’s exploration of Black identity, musical heritage, and collective joy.
At its core, WE ARE is a celebration of musical lineage. Batiste draws from a wide spectrum of Black American traditions—jazz, gospel, soul, R&B, funk, hip-hop, and even elements of New Orleans brass band music—blending them into a vibrant, genre-fluid sound. The deluxe edition expands this palette further, offering more space for experimentation and collaboration. Artists like H.E.R., Mavis Staples, and Trombone Shorty contribute to the album’s communal feel, reinforcing its sense of shared cultural expression.
The album is rooted in identity, resilience, and unity. Songs like “I Need You” radiate joy and affirmation, while others engage more directly with history and social struggle. Batiste approaches these themes not with heaviness alone, but with a sense of celebration—emphasizing creativity, connection, and the enduring power of culture. The title itself, WE ARE, functions as both a statement and an invitation, suggesting a collective identity that is inclusive, evolving, and rooted in shared experience.
Batiste’s background as a jazz musician and bandleader is evident in the album’s arrangements. Even in its most pop-oriented moments, there’s a strong sense of musicality and spontaneity—live instrumentation, layered vocals, and dynamic shifts that give the songs a sense of movement. The deluxe tracks often feel like extensions of this approach, adding new textures and perspectives without disrupting the album’s overall cohesion.
In the broader context of contemporary music, WE ARE (Deluxe) stands out for its refusal to be confined by genre. It reflects a growing trend among artists who treat musical styles as fluid and interconnected rather than fixed categories. At the same time, Batiste’s work is deeply rooted in tradition, creating a dialogue between past and present that feels both educational and celebratory.
WE ARE (Deluxe) is more than just an expanded album—it’s a statement of purpose. Jon Batiste presents music as a living, communal force, capable of telling stories, preserving history, and bringing people together. The deluxe edition amplifies that vision, offering a richer, more expansive listening experience that underscores the album’s central message: identity is not static—it’s something we create, share, and celebrate together.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
I Need You
Freedom
Cry
Boy Hood (featuring PJ Morton, Trombone Shorty)
Sing (featuring Tori Kelly)
We Are
Tell The Truth
Adulthood (featuring BJ the Chicago Kid)
Whatchutalkinbout
Mavis
Freedom (Big Freedia Remix)
Tell The Truth (Uptown Remix)
Movement 11′
Work It Out
Adulthood (featuring Hot 8 Brass Band)
Show Me The Way (featuring Zadie Smith)
Sing
We Are (Montmartre Remix)
Until
