Wow…

For me this is simply one of the most beautifully quiet & subtle and almost deceptively powerful records I’ve ever heard. It’s haunting…and in a good way. It’ll get ya’ if you give it a chance…

Some of it’s beauty is easy and clear to hear and even a casual listener will experience that right away…even if you aren't into Jazz...this is quite simply just wonderful and pretty stuff…no other way around it. So you have that instant element of beauty, and then there are other beautiful elements that are woven in so very delicately above, behind and between the obvious beauty…and these inspired elements reveal themselves in the fullest when you really give the entire album the attention it deserves…the full attentiveness it deserves. (in other words...break out the headphones people ). This is NOT to imply that this is one of those records that are ‘hard listens’ that require intense concentration in order to enjoy…no, no, no… that’s NOT what I’m saying at all. Quite the opposite actually. Believe me, is a very easy listen…you can slip right into this one with no ‘work’ at all…and it will show you some sonic musical love instantly. All I’m saying is that to experience the fullest in reciprocation you’ll want to be attentive to this one…and just allow yourself the moments to focus on it without distraction, and trust me it will love you back like nobody’s business. That’s when you’ll really get the FULL experience of the big picture…and I tell ya’, if you’re like me you will end up with a joyful smile…a warm good feeling in your chest…and a breathless “wow” coming from your lips…

This music, man I don’t know where to begin…I wanna’ break each song down in detail, but I always hate to do that because it could take some of the joy of discovery for anyone who hasn’t heard the record yet. Dang.

Ok I know…SPOILER ALERT…even though I wont get into every nook and cranny of each tune, DON’T READ ANY FURTHER if you are one of those who likes to experience music first without any preconceived notions. (I know that’s how I am . Just go get the record.
But if you are ok with having some details spilled in advance of actually listening then you wont mind reading on…

Some highlights…(there are no lowlights on this one for me)

•1• “MU-MIN”
Very cool short but funky little groove… like those always intriguing ‘welcome to the record’ introduction jams that Meshell often opens her albums with. A perfect mix of modern and natural sounds. Great horn runs on this one…and I love the sound of the earthy raw horn solo that rips in at about 54 seconds into it.

•2• “AL-FALAQ 113”
The percussion intro on this is a thing of glory in itself the first full minute of the tune. Some may recognize this gem of a groove from the Spirit Music live shows. Love the way this one builds up from the initial bass-line to full-blown group powerhouse of sonic screams…then back down into the quiet soothing mode. Chasing the spirits indeed.

•3• “AQUARIUM”
This one will haunt you. Both the lyrical theme and the wonderful vocals by an artist named Sabina. The Aquarium metaphor works on so many levels…depending on your own perspective and mood you could feel sad, angry or even inspired to act. Again, great metaphor, a great and very unique sounding song. And the groove is niiiiice. And Meshell’s nice little ‘falling’ bass lines that show up about 4:11 into the song…very cool. I really love this tune all by itself but also love the way it blends perfectly into what could be my favorite track on the record, the next one which is…

•4• “PAPILLON”
Like I said, this is one of my favorites on the record at this point… yeah, I’m listening to it now and I think it has to be THE favorite for me. I can’t get enough of the bass line in this one. I know its simple but it’s just absolutely sublime to me. It instantly puts me in a meditative state of mind. The melodic bass, with the wonderful horn melody…and, the welcome welcome welcome return of one of my favorite things to listen to…the keyboards of the GREAT Federico Gonzalez Pena. Wow. THAT is some beautiful stuff. This guy just has the most emotive playing…the dude just somehow gets ‘connected’ to the feeling of songs. And his choice of various sounds both natural and synthesized are always absolutely appropriate and create the perfect atmosphere. Federico is THE man. It was a nice surprise for me to see his name on the credits when I opened my cd. I tell you…I just will never get tired of listening to this track. The way the keys and the horns play off of each other, trading parts of the main melody, the loose & free drumming accents, and again… that bass. This one left me pretty much speechless…

•5• “DANCE OF THE INFIDEL”
This one is another favorite, probably running close behind the preceding tune. This one reminds me of some of the sessions for “Cookie” (specifically “Criterion” & “Jabril”.) It has such a full, rich, powerful sound. Love all of the melodies & phrases…the ebb and flow change ups…the tones…the dash of organ… I love the EVERYTHING… like I said another personal favorite.

•6• “THE CHOSEN”
Ahhh Cassandra Wilson…(I confess I’ve always kinda’ had a thing for her since their first time I saw & heard her, but I’ll try not to let that bias my opinion. heheh). Over the years I’ve been quietly wondering if she and Meshell would ever work on some music together. (this is their first time together on record, right?) I mean when you think about it, while different, their voices do have a similar tone to each other and both are notoriously under-appreciated (commercially under-appreciated anyway) artists within their own ‘genres’. So its good to hear them finally doing something wonderful together on a project like this that, while on the surface might seem like its a step out from each ones own ‘genre’, it actually fits very well right into either’s “normal” catalogue. They’re both the real deal…

•7• “LUQUAMAN”
Man this one sounds like it doesn’t want to end…and I don’t want it to end either. One of the most memorable bass-lines ever. It percolates. (I find myself randomly humming and ‘air-playing’ that line at work ever since I first heard it). What can you say…this just grooves. Head nodding and fun, and funky, and lyrical. Hard to resist, and why would you wanna? And this one KILLS live too…very explosive. If I remember correctly they closed the show with this tune when I saw them here in Richmond and it had people up grooving their asses off. It’s a jam in every good sense of the word.

•8• “WHEN DID YOU LEAVE HEAVEN”
A great end to this album. This feels like it would have also fit well (both lyrically and style-wise) with the ‘Lackawanna Blues’ movie that Meshell did the score for. (loved the movie by the way). This song is a remake I think, right? Doesn’t really matter if it is or not, its as pretty as you want it to be…and I love the way that just when you think the song has built to the appropriate crescendo and has come to its logical end…then they ‘take you there’ on the floating harmonies of the also beautiful Layla Hathaway…lovely way to end, that’s just some serious loveliness there…


So there’s some of the most beautiful music I’ve heard in a while folks. Its just too damn pretty ya’ll, really. You know you need to get this and listen for yourselves. And, as always, if you have the opportunity you need to go see them live because their live experiences ALWAYS bring different energy & approaches to the recorded tunes. Depending on the vibe of the night you might get the jazz vibe, or maybe a more heavy afro rhythm thing, you may get a quiet soothing experience, or a get up and jam vibe, some funk, some rocking out…or you may get it ALL in one evening. At any rate I’m willing to bet it’ll be one of the most satisfying musical experiences you will ever get. (they are on tour now mostly overseas with a few stops scheduled for the US as well. Probably hit the US later this year...go to http://www.freemyheart.com and click on "Tour De Funk" for all the latest dates)

BTW I gotta’ say that, along with the MUSIC of this record being beautiful, the packaging and artwork are ALSO exquisite and mirror the feeling of the sounds. According to the liner notes Rebecca Meek is the artist responsible with Meshell as co Art Director. Beautiful work (I know, i know…can I possibly use that word ‘beautiful’ ANY more than I already have? Sorry, but it’s the word that feels most applicable to this entire project.)

Thanks to Spirit Music Jamia and our girl Meshell…for doing it yet AGAIN!!

Alrighty then, I’m off to listen to mine...again…

BTW ...the record is currently availble in the US only as an Import (i got mine from the French version of Amazon...

http://www.amazon.fr/exec...97-9993813

I couldn't wait and i'm glad i didn't. But if you are more patient than i am, according to a post over at Freemyheart by the Executive Producer of the record it looks like they are close to closing a deal for a stateside release sometime this spring as well. Wherever, whenever you get this record, you should get it. Ya just gotta' support the artists that actually live up to the word...and this one is a work of art all the way through for real yall...

enjoy...

Later ya’ll…

derek

from last week:


http://www.prince.org/msg/8/134412

abierman said:

That doesn't have the elaborate posting though...

HamsterHuey said:

well, elaboration could have been done on that thread too.....I don't like elaboration too much, let the music speak for itself.....that's why I didn't do it.

abierman said:

sorry bout that, i haven't posted here in a while..didn't realize there was already another thread going on similar topic.

as for the elaboration thing..i actually agree with you in a way...like i said in my post I'm actually one of those people who, when it comes to music, i'd rather NOT hear anyones preconcieved notions BEFORE i hear the actual record myself. I really prefer to hear it with no expectations fresh as it hits my ears for the first time.

Thats exactly why i put that SPOILER ALERT part in there before i went into the details...I was warning folks who are like me (folks who want to hear it first THEN get others perspectives) i was warning them to STOP READING at that point until after they got ahold of the record themselves...

That said, not everyone is like me. Some folks actually prefer to hear others take before they are willing to invest in a record. Also, with an artist like Meshell who creates such a wide variety of styles of music, some folks might be expecting one thing (say a vocal filled funk album for example) and sometimes when one EXPECTS one thing but unexpectedly gets ANOTHER thing instead the instictual reaction could be rejection, EVEN if one would normally actually enjoy the unexpected thing had they been given an advance notice of the perspective.

(think about it this way...you like Pepsi and you like Chocholate Milk as well...You are drinking an ice cold Pepsi, halfe way through it you sit it down and look away. You pick it up without looking and take another sip expecting the icy cold beverage, but instead you get a gulp of unexpected Chocolate Milk. Your instintual reaction would like be rejection to spit it out...even if normally as i said you DO enjoy Choocolate Milk. Expectations can be powerful things.)

So i was trying to set expectations...AND also give a spoiler alert for those who prefer NOT to have any expectations.

at any rate, the record is just a masterpiece, so thats all i care about...i just want folks to hear it...

justhemusic said:

Thank you both for the threads. This is absolutely on my "must acquire" list. I enjoyed reading your impression of the tracks justhemusic ~ adds intrigue until I can find it.

justhemusic said:

you are absolutely right, and thank you for your insightful posts, I agree with them! This album is great, I admire Meshell, a true artist (I am seeing her show in 6 weeks, 2nd time, can't wait!).

abierman said:

ahh, going to check her out live huh? cool. i know she's touring Europe through May. I wish i could afford travel over there to catch gig or two. So which show are you heading to?

have you ever experienced them live before?

justhemusic said:

I am seeing her on April 9th in Amsterdam. I saw her once before, in November 2002.