Mighty musical messages in latest releases by artists
22nd June 2015 · 0 Comments
By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer
Terence Blanchard featuring E-Collective
Breathless
(Blue Note)
Terence Blanchard’s trumpet blasts off this album with one of jazz-funk’s most memorable and significant tunes, vocalist Les McCann’s and saxophonist Eddie Harris’ mega hit, 1969’s “Compared to What.” New Orleans vocalist/pianist PJ Morton, the son of noted Rev. Paul S. Morton, joins Blanchard – totally successfully – for the first time on this recording. He and the trumpeter both celebrate the tune’s musically and rhythmically good-time feel while bowing down to its lyrics of social and political protest. That’s the major reason the song is featured on the trumpeter’s album. For, as Blanchard has explained in multiple interviews, the focus of Breathless is all about his as well as so many, many others’ anger and frustration about the everlasting police abuse, brutality and disrespect levied upon people in the Black community. The title refers, he says, not only to the “I Can’t Breathe” campaign that followed the killing of Eric Garner by a New York City police officer who put him in a choke hold for the crime of selling individual cigarettes on the street but his own exhaustion of having to continually deal with the issue. “It’s tiring.”
Most other cuts follow the theme of addressing the issue, such as Blanchard’s laid-back, funky original “See Me As I Am.” The trumpeter announces his presence with a high-pitched wail as if to say “This is me.” The melody of this tune lingers in the mind.
PJ Morton returns to sing on the powerful, “I’m Shutting Down,” written by Blanchard’s son, T. Oliver Blanchard Jr. It speaks of the despair brought on by a feeling of helplessness. On the other hand, tunes like Blanchard’s “Soldiers” and “Cosmic Warrior” strut as if on a empowered march.
Electronics play a larger role on Breathless than any of Blanchard’s previous releases. He’s really into the here and now on this project. His New Orleans R&B roots seem to also be more evident, more pronounced than on other endeavors perhaps because of the presence of another native, bassist Donald Ramsey. He pairs well with the diverse skills of drummer Oscar Seaton.
Terence Blanchard’s Breathless challenges the intelligence and consciousness with its demanding theme and he and the band members’ brilliant musicianship while groovin’ and funkin’ it up. It’s one of those the more you hear it, the better you like it albums.
Charenee Wade
Offering: The Music of Gil Scott-Heron and Brian Jackson
(Montema)
Charenee Wade is a jazz vocalist whose musicianship and improvisational abilities allow her to truly interpret the inspired brilliance of the late, great Gil Scott-Heron. A poet, musician and social activist who liked to call himself “a messenger of the people,” Scott-Heron, who died in 2011, had rhythm in his words and fire in his soul. Yet, as Wade wisely remembers as she sings his lyrics, his passion was often delivered with a gentle touch. Scott-Heron’s longtime musical collaborator, Brian Jackson understood that too when creating his rich melodies to enhance his partner’s works.
Wade, a New Yorker and two-time runner up in the prestigious Thelonius Monk Vocal competition, opens strongly on the title cut, “Offering” with vibraphonist and label mate Stefon Harris providing just the right melodic and rhythmic touches to enhance Wade’s performance. She pushes, then he pushes.
Things get funky and very urban on “Home Is Where the Hatred Is” that also suggests a Latin rhythm. Wade’s voice is grittier here, suggesting a bit of a woman with an attitude, as she delivers lines like “I can’t go home!” Harris is again prominent in the mix as well the full-on piano of Brandon McCune.
Both Malcom-Jamal Warner and bassist Christian McBride step in for two individual spoken word numbers. Considering the source of the tribute, they are very appropriate on the album.
The disc goes out on an up note, on Gil-Scott Heron’s cleverly titled, “I Think I’ll Call It a Morning.” It begins with some tasty strumming and later a solo by guitarist Dave Stryker with Wade expressing the emotional optimism of the lyrics “Why should I let the tears fall – I think I’ll call it morning from now on…” There is brightness in her voice as well as the obvious experience of heartbreak.
Charenee Wade, backed by solid jazz musicians, helps us remember and appreciate the great Gil Scott-Heron in the best way. His words, his tone and his heart remain in this endeavor. She couldn’t have been truer to his purpose and pursuits.
Last Chance to Dance… Get Up
The final edition of the Jazz in the Park series rolls this Thursday, June 25. It’s going clear into summer this year (which began on June 21st) as rain-outs caused numerous cancellations of the shows at Armstrong Park. Headlining the finale is the fabulous Joe Krown Trio with Krown manning the big B-3 organ, guitarist and vocalist Walter “Wolfman” Washington and drummer Russell Batiste. All coming from different musical spheres with their common roots in New Orleans, these guys just match up so well.
Opening will be Darcy Malone and the Tangle. Vocalist Malone, who is the daughter of Dave Malone of the Radiators fame, leads this New Orleans influenced soul band to the stage.
Hip to the heat, the Jazz in the Park activities will begin a little later than usual, starting at 4:30 p.m.
This article originally published in the June 22, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
