The John L. Nelson Project - Don’t Play With Love

2018 release

Unless you’re a dedicated Prince fan or an attentive reader of album liner notes, John L. Nelson’s name may not ring a bell, but there’s a good chance you’ve heard some of his tunes.

A jazz pianist who named his son after his stage name (Prince Rogers), Nelson shared songwriting credits on a handful of tracks on albums like “Purple Rain,” ″Around the World In a Day” and “Parade.”

Although he passed away in 2001, Nelson’s daughter and Prince’s half-sister, Sharon, rediscovered some sheet music with her father’s handwritten charts that she’d kept since the late 1970s. A belated tribute to his 100th birthday — Nelson was born in 1916 — “Don’t Play With Love” is a clear, straightforward and worthy jazz collection that stands on its own merits.

The album’s family ties go even deeper, as the elder Nelson’s nephew, famed drummer Louis Hayes — best known for his work with Horace Silver and Cannonball Adderley — anchors the band. Pianist Rick Germanson, Vincent Herring (saxophone), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet), Dezron Douglas (bass) and a string quartet conducted by Adi Yeshaya interpret the seven compositions with verve and style.

Album opener “Lucky Am I” sounds like the theme from a 1960s detective series and has, similarly to the title track, a spacious, cinematic quality. It’s probably no coincidence Prince included his father’s compositions mostly on his soundtracks.

“Don’t Play With Love” is a lush ballad with a dizzying closing sax solo, while “Heart of Mine” could make a city rooftop tanning session feel like day at Copacabana Beach. Closer “Step Back” has a deep, soulful groove with engaging solos from the whole band.

Despite the Prince connection — it was recorded at Paisley Park, though after his death — the album needs no nepotistic boost. It just swings, baby!

Don’t Play With Love consists of Producer Sharon L. Nelson, co-producer Charles F. Spicer Jr., plus musicians led by legendary jazz drummer Louis Hayes (nephew of John L. Nelson), pianist/arranger Rick Germanson, alto saxophonist Vincent Herring, trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and bassist Dezron Douglas. The NorthStar Group’s Chairman and prominent attorney L. Londell McMillan serves as the Executive Producer.