Jim James Covers Stevie Wonder With Sachal Ensemble

My Morning Jacket frontman Jim James is one of many performers who contributed to a companion album for the 2015 documentary Song of Lahore which focuses on the Pakistani musicians the Sachal Ensemble. James teamed with the Sachal Ensemble for a beautiful rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Love’s In Need Of Love Today.” Audio of the cover was premiered today via Rolling Stone:

https://youtu.be/Ih7-yPgafNQ

“I was honored to be asked to sing after being so moved hearing the instrumental Sachal version of one of my favorite songs of all time, ‘Love’s in Need of Love Today,'” James said in a statement. “I feel like it speaks so beautifully to Stevie’s original message of hope, acceptance and love … and keeps it going in a fresh direction … from a completely different background yet still speaking that same message of love that we all need to hear so badly in these confusing times … Yes — love is in need of love today, and luckily there are people on the earth like Stevie Wonder and the Sachal Ensemble here to help spread that love and remind us that we are all united.”

The Song Of Lahore album is available for pre-order now ahead of its May 20th release. Song Of Lahore features a number of collaborations with the Sachal Ensemble from acts such as Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Wilco guitarist Nels Cline, Bilal, Sean Lennon and Wynton Marsalis.