José James releases new single "Rock With You" feat. Takuya Kuroda, announces World Tour
1978: REVENGE OF THE DRAGON
SET FOR RELEASE MAY 16 ON RAINBOW BLONDE RECORDS
SECOND SINGLE “ROCK WITH YOU” FEAT. TAKUYA KURODA ARRIVES TODAY
Pre-Save 1978: Revenge of The Dragon: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/revengeofthedragon
Listen to “Rock With You” feat. Takuya Kuroda: https://www.rainbowblonde.co/rockwithyou
José James returns with a fresh, soulful reimagining of Michael Jackson’s ’70s disco anthem “Rock With You,” featuring Takuya Kuroda—the latest single from his forthcoming album, 1978: Revenge of The Dragon, out May 16, 2025, via Rainbow Blonde Records. The track rekindles James’ longtime creative partnership with Kuroda, a Japanese-born, Brooklyn-based trumpeter and composer who has been collaborating with James for over a decade.
Their musical journey began with “Promise in Love” from James’ sophomore album, Blackmagic, and has since spanned multiple projects, including No Beginning No End, James’ fourth album, and Kuroda’s Blue Note debut, Rising Son (2014)—produced by James. Their “seminal iteration” (Hypebeast) of Roy Ayers’ “Everybody Loves The Sunshine” became a streaming-era favorite, amassing over 50 million streams to date.
With James’ signature velvety vocals, deep grooves, and Kuroda’s expressive trumpet, the duo breathes new life into “Rock With You,” embracing its romantic, carefree essence. The result is a lush, rhythmic fusion of jazz and disco—honoring the original while feeling undeniably modern.
James shares, "Working with Takuya Kuroda is always electric—he’s one of the most versatile and soulful trumpet players on the planet. Roy Hargrove first introduced me to his genius, and we’ve been making magic together since 2010. 'Rock With You' is our classic vibe—jazz meets soul with that Tokyo-NYC bounce. We had to bring the heat for this one. The fans have been asking, and we’re finally delivering!"
Recorded live to tape in a single take at Dreamland Studios—a restored 19th-century church near Woodstock, NY—1978: Revenge of The Dragon captures the rebellious underground spirit of the late ’70s. While its predecessor, 1978 (2024), channeled the glitzy disco energy of Studio 54, this new album embodies the raw, countercultural edge of the Mudd Club, drawing inspiration from jazz fusion, kung fu cinema, and Blaxploitation films.
The album blends original compositions with bold reinterpretations of classics, including Herbie Hancock’s “I Thought It Was You,” The Rolling Stones’ “Miss You,” and the Bee Gees’ “Love You Inside Out.”
An all-star ensemble brings the music to life: Taali (vocals), BIGYUKI (keys & analog synths), Jharis Yokley (drums), and a powerhouse brass section featuring Takuya Kuroda (trumpet), Ebban Dorsey (alto sax), and Ben Wendel (tenor sax). Bass duties are split between David Ginyard (Blood Orange, Terence Blanchard) and Kyle Miles (Meshell Ndegeocello, Nick Hakim).
To celebrate the release, James will embark on a global tour this year, giving fans the chance to experience Revenge of The Dragon live. His scheduled stops include New York City’s Blue Note Jazz Club, Cincinnati’s Caffè Vivace, and The Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis, along with festival performances at San Jose Jazz Summer Fest, Love Supreme Festival (Glynde, UK), and Joy of Jazz in Sandton, South Africa, among others. Additionally, he will join Lionel Richie as a special guest at Germany’s Jazzopen Stuttgart.
For tickets and the latest updates, visit www.josejamesmusic.com.
1978: Revenge of The Dragon Track Listing
1. Tokyo Daydream (feat. Taali)
2. Rock With You (feat. Takuya Kuroda)
3. Rise Of The Tiger
4. They Sleep, We Grind (for Badu)
5. I Thought It Was You (feat. Ebban Dorsey)
6. Miss You
7. Inside And Out (feat. Ben Wendel)
8. Last Call At The Mudd Club
José James 2025 Tour Dates
May 15 – Cincinnati, OH @ Caffe Vivaci (2 shows)
May 16 – Indianapolis, IN @ Jazz Kitchen (2 shows)
May 17 – Indianapolis, IN @ Jazz Kitchen (2 shows)
May 19 – New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows)
May 20 – New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows)
May 21 – New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows)
May 22 – New York, NY @ Blue Note Jazz Club (2 shows)
June 5 – Truro, MA @ Payomet Performing Arts Center
June 8 – Columbia, MD @ Capital Jazz Festival
June 14 – Santa Teresa, Brazil @ Bossa & Jazz Festival
June 16 – São Paulo, Brazil @ Blue Note
June 20 – Rio Das Ostras, Brazil @ Jazz & Blues Festival
June 21 – Rio Das Ostras, Brazil @ Jazz & Blues Festival
June 27 – Apen, CO @ Jazz Aspen Snowmass
July 6 – Glynde, United Kingdom @ Love Supreme Festival
July 9 – Rome, Italy @ Casa del Jazz
July 10 – Gent, Belgium @ Gent Jazz
July 13 – Stuttgart, Germany @ Lionel Richie at Jazzopen Festival
July 14 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso
August 8-10 – San Jose, CA @ San Jose Jazz Summer Fest
September 26 – Sandton, South Africa @ Joy of Jazz