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 09/2011
SONNY ROLLINS
ROAD SHOWS VOL. 2
reviewed 10/2006
THE JOHN POPPER PROJECT feat. DJ Logic
reviewed 05/2004
Jamie Cullum
twentysomething
reviewed 02/2009
MADELEINE PEYROUX
BARE BONES
reviewed 06/2014
RICHARD OPPENHEIM
Greenhorn In A Red State
reviewed 07/2008
VARIOUS
Rumble In the Great Lakes (Best of the Detroit Jazz Fest 2007)

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.