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 09/2008
MATT BELSANTE
– Blame it on My Youth
reviewed 09/2015
Bob Merrill and Roswell Rudd
Cheerin' Up The Universe
reviewed 11/2016
The Hot Club of San Francisco
John Paul George & Django
reviewed 03/2008
Negroni's Trio
Father & Son
reviewed 01/2007
MICROSCOPIC SEPTET
Surrealistic Swing
reviewed 05/2004
Bill Charlap Trio
Somewhere: The Music of Leonard Bernstein

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.