New Album Somi’s “If The Rains Come First”

Tags

African American, African Music, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Soul Music

Out Now Exclusively at Digital Retailers CD in stores in USA/Canada on October 27

Somi

When Somi was growing up, her mother told her that the rain, ever unpredictable, could be as much a blessing as a challenge. The blessings might come before the rain, or they could come after – it’s all in the timing, she said. That notion has stayed with the charismatic singer and songwriter all her life and now provides a metaphorical focus for her third album, If The Rains Come First. The album is a stunning collection of self-penned story-based songs, a meditation on opening ourselves up to life’s blessings and challenges much in the way that we accept the rain and all that it brings.

Somi

Singing in English and three East African languages, Somi’s vocal delivery is subtle yet the power she exerts is enormous. The percussive thrust at the heart of African music is also a fundamental component of If The Rains Come First, brought to bear by an all-star African rhythm section of Ivorian percussionist Madou Koné, Senegalese guitarist Herve Samb, and Nigerian bassist Michael Olatuja. Somi recorded the album’s 11 songs in Paris in order to take advantage of the city’s sizable African music scene, then finished it in New York to avail herself of the world’s greatest jazz community. Among the exemplary musicians who provide the coloring that fleshes out Somi’s songs are longtime collaborators Toru Dodo on Fender Rhodes and piano, and guitarists Liberty Ellman, David Gilmore and Michele Locatelli.

Optimism, conviction and resilience are hallmarks of Somi’s new creations – these are songs of survival and awareness. “Prayer To the Saint of the Brokenhearted,” reflects on the sense of helplessness and hopelessness one often feels after heartache, while serving as a reminder of the possibilities of faith and renewal. At the core of each of Somi’s highly personal and intimate tales are shared emotions and experiences of love, life, loss and learning. “Enganjyani,” which means ‘most beloved’ in Rutooro, the language spoken by Somi’s Ugandan mother, refers to, as she puts it, “the memory of whispered prayer and being haunted by a past lover.” The track features the legendary Hugh Masekela, a longtime Somi fan who has become a mentor, guesting on trumpet. “Rising,” a song about faith and navigating life’s challenges, is all forward motion, a flawless juxtaposition of sizzling rhythm, instantly memorable melody and a vocal style that JazzTimes magazine describes as “the earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves.”

Justin Time Records Releases Two New Remarkable CDs

Tags

African American, Jazz, Piano, Saxophone

David Murray

Justin Time Records Releases Two New Remarkable CDs by David Murray and the Gwo Ka Masters With Special Guest Taj Mahal;
And a Special Piano Summit With Two Masters of the Keys Hank Jones and Oliver Jones

Oliver and Jones

Justin Time Records will release two extraordinary albums this fall featuring top-tier jazz artists. On October 20, the renowned Montreal-based recording label will unveil the piano dream team of Hank Jones and Oliver Jones collaborating together to deliver Pleased to Meet You, an exceptional 11-track collection of standards and originals. The CD marks the first time the pair of old friends has recorded an album-and only the second time they have performed together. Justin Time follows that album on November 3 with tenor saxophone/bass clarinet titan David Murray’s twelfth outing for the label, The Devil Tried to Kill Me, featuring the Gwo Ka Masters and special guest vocalist Taj Mahal, who appears on two tunes.

On Pleased to Meet You, the two Jones (no relation) display their luminous alchemy as befitting two jazz elders. Hank, the Detroit native born in 1918 and 90 years old at the time of the recording, and Oliver, the Canadian maestro born in 1934 and 74 at the date, gracefully swing and dance through the session, tracked at Montreal’s Place des Arts (Orchestral Rehearsal Hall) in 2008 during the city’s jazz festival. The album also features the fine rhythm team of bassist (and recent Justin Time signing) Brandi Disterheft and drummer Jim Doxas. The two pianists deliver tunes that include standards by Duke Ellington, Jerome Richardson, Thelonious Monk and Oscar Peterson, among others. Also included is a tune by each leader: Hank Jones’ sprightly “Ripples” and Oliver Jones’ lovely homage to his mentor, “I Remember OP.”

Available Today — Arturo Stable

Tags

Arturo Stable, Cuban Music, Percussionist

Arturo Stable, Call

Call, the New Release by Arturo Stable on Origen Records

Today, Origen Records releases Call, the new CD by Cuban percussionist and composer Arturo Stable. Call redefines the outer limits of Latin jazz through complex and compelling original works and an outpouring of virtuosic performances by Stable and his quintet.

Call is the follow-up to Stable’s 2007 Origen Records release Notes on Canvas, a critically-lauded effort that featured aural interpretations of iconic paintings by Monet, Picasso and other masters.

“I see Call as a culmination of some of the material that I started developing in Notes on Canvas,” the 34-year old innovator explains. “I see some new and positive elements in my playing that I like very much, and a cohesive sound throughout the album that I’m especially happy with. But there’s a contrast between the two albums that’s enjoyable as well.”

Call’s riveting qualities stem from Stable’s choice of musicians and how he chose to record the session. Call is a quintet outing that showcases pianist Aruan Ortiz, bassist Edward Perez, saxophonist Javier Vercher and drummer Francisco Mela, with special guest Ian Izquierdo on violin.