José James - 1978 : La revanche du dragon

José James hones his craft with 1978: Revenge of the Dragon, a fearless statement that transcends genres and hits with the precision of a one-take knockout.

Released in 2024, this album sees James channeling the spirit of Bruce Lee in a session recorded live, in one go. Backed by an all-star ensemble including Ben Wendel, Takuya Kuroda and BIGYUKI, he fuses jazz with the urgency of punk, the warmth of soul and the force of funk – creating a sound that is both rooted in retro and fiercely immediacy.

Original tracks like Tokyo Daydream and Rock With You reinterpret his signature style through a harsher, urban lens, while covers such as Miss You and I Thought It Was You are reimagined with haunting vocals and elastic grooves. Elsewhere, Love You Inside Out pulses with rhythmic assurance, blending familiarity and bold reinvention. The sequencing evokes a nighttime wandering in the city – unpredictable, kinetic and deeply alive.

Pressed on 180g vinyl with a gatefold sleeve, this edition amplifies the raw, analogue energy of the album, mastered at Abbey Road Studios for maximum depth. 1978: Revenge of the Dragon isn't just a tribute to a year of birth – it's a declaration of artistic freedom, where José James proves once again that boundaries are meant to be broken, not respected.