Album Reviews

SOMI

If the Rains Come First

2009-12-18

Ugandan jazz vocalist Somi enlists other African musicians (including famous South African trumpeter Hugh Masekela) to develop a set of jazz-meets-African rhythms that at times brings memories of Paul Simon's "Rhythm of the Saints" or the releases by songstress Sade. Great phrasing, lyrics (bith Ugandan and English) evoking scenes from Africa, yet messages that connect to life here in these United States. "Hot Blue" gets things started in a sultry manner; "Prayer to the Saint" and "Kuzunguka" provide the most upbeat of the tempos. Inventive merger of jazz and world from a young talent. Michael J. 12/09 J-Afrobeat

Quick Links:

all reviews | all jazz reviews

More reviews tagged #Jazz

reviewed 02/2006
THE BLUECAT EXPRESS
The Spirit of New Orleans
reviewed 11/2009
IVAN "FUNKBOY" BODLEY
PIGS FEET & POTTED MEAT
reviewed 06/2006
ELVIS COSTELLO AND ALLEN TOUSSAINT (“Two-SAHN-t”)
The River in Reverse
reviewed 12/2010
KEN CLARK ORGAN TRIO
Mutual Respect
reviewed 08/2005
Organissimo
This is the Place
reviewed 11/2007
THE CHARLES MINGUS SEXTET
Charles Mingus Sextet with Eric Dolphy - Cornell 1964

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.