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 06/2004
Bela Fleck and Edgar Meyer
Music for Two
reviewed 05/2015
Aaron Goldberg
The Now
reviewed 04/2008
JAKE BERGEVIN
Holding Back the Dawn
reviewed 04/2014
Pete Kennedy
Tone, Twang and Taste
reviewed 08/2017
Michael Gamble And The Rhythm Serenaders
Get Rhythm In Your Feet
reviewed 02/2014
GAIL DAVIES
SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU

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.