Review: Jad Tariq – Precious Company
Jad Tariq takes another confident step into classic rhythm & blues territory with his second album, ‘Precious Company’
Jad Tariq – Precious Company
Format: CD – Vinyl LP – Digital
Label: MoMojo Records
Release date: September 18, 2026
Text: Pascal Wilhelm
In my review on Jad’s first release (Jad Tariq sings, April 2025) I predicted that we would be hearing more of him in the future. A bit more than a year later Precious Company is released (release date September 18, 2026, available on CD and vinyl via Momojo Records).
Ten originals on this album, again recorded in the Lola’s Place Recording studio, a modestly equipped living room studio in Memphis.
The album features several musicians (Earl Lowe – drums, Matthew Wilson-upright bass and background vocals, Wyly Bigger – piano and background vocals, Jon Hay – rhythm guitar and background vocals, Kirk Smothers – tenor and baritone saxophone, Marc Franklin – trumpet, Nikolas Karolewicz – upright bass on track 3, Jacob Huffman – harmonica on track 10 and Benton Parker – background vocals) with Jad playing guitar and doing the lead vocals.
The release sheet mentions that the album brings together rhythm & blues, jump blues and elements of jazz with Jad’s guitar style combining a swinging rhythmic approach with the more direct expression of the blues.
His singing draws on the tradition of the blues shouters and crooners of the 1940s and 1950s. In my view, this means the lyrics and the way Jad’s sings have a certain “ballroom coolness.” Precious Company was produced by Jad Tariq and engineered by Jon Hay. Dave Gross mixed and mastered the album at Fat Rab.
The album feels like it was composed and recorded in an era way before Jad was born. It’s the combination of personal and original expression in a package of nostalgia, honouring the pioneers of blues, soul, jazz and rock ’n roll. It is honest and real. What stands out, is his songwriting.
Songs like September Moon (“I remember November, that’s the month she got away. That o’l September Moon will haunt me the rest of my days”) and Precious Company (“If they lock me up in jail, I’ll tag your photo to the wall”) have strong lyrics.
Precious Company expresses the love for a woman so tastefully, Jad must certainly be a true gentleman. But he is also a true blues man. Listen to Inflation’s high blues and you’ll know (“I can’t borrow a dollar, I can’t afford to hold a dime. The gas prices are so high, I can’t afford to drive a mile”).
Could you explain your approach to your songwriting? I am especially interested in how you write your lyrics.
Jad: “My approach to songwriting almost always stems from one small lyrical idea, whether it’s a hook or just a phrase that I can build a story around, that tends to inspire the rest of the song. I always try to identify the lyrical seed of the song, and get down to the true point of the song. A lot of times when reflection on life situations, I’ll say or think something that makes me say “Oh there’s a song in there!”
The recordings sounds very “organic”, as if they were cut live in the studio for the most part. Could you tell a bit about the recording process. And wat do you find important concerning recording?
Jad: “We’re pretty old school in our approach, the record was done almost all live with the band in the room. I really like records that have a “roomy” sound, where as a listener you feel you can picture the space that the band is recording in. I really prefer taking a vocal live, as it feels more honest, and what it may lack in perfection it hopefully makes up for in mojo! I like when the band is really following the vocalist, and sitting under them, moving their groove and feel to match what the singer is doing.”
The guitar parts to me are very tasteful and never over the top, it seems that your approach is to keep everything in balance (vocals, guitars, arrangements), the song seems to be the focus point. Am I correct in this? Any comments?
Jad: “ Yes! I love playing guitar, and I do a ton of that at my live shows, but I don’t tend to listen to guitar records and don’t have much interest in taking long solos on a recording. I think the instrumentation should support the message of the song, as opposed to overtaking it. I absolutely love playing guitar and improvising, but there is a time and place for those more extended instrumental explorations.”
Precious company proves Jad is here to stay. He is the full package: his songs, his singing, his style, groove and guitar playing: it all adds up. Go see him live!
Tracks:
01. September Moon
02. I Want a Mean Woman
03. Room for Two
04. Poor Me
05. Precious Company
06. Half Measures
07. Whiskey, Ain’t But a Dollar
08. Inflation’s High Blues
09. Waitin’ and Wishin’
10. To My Used To Be
Website: https://www.jadtariq.com/
Read also:
Want to discover more from Jad Tariq and related artists? Click on the titles below to read earlier articles on Bluestown Music.
Review: Jad Tariq – Jad Tariq Sings
Pascal Wilhelm reviewed Tariq’s debut album for Bluestown Music in April 2025.
Review: Ryan Hartt – Be About It!
A blues album featuring Jad Tariq on guitar on several tracks.
Review: Duke Robillard – Roll With Me
A jump-blues-oriented album connecting with the classic R&B and swing traditions heard in Tariq’s music.