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In August of 1791, a gathering of enslaved individuals from Haiti held a clandestine Vodou ritual in the forest of Bois Caïman on the northern coast of the country. This event served as the catalyst for the Haitian Revolution and has inspired saxophonist Jowee Omicil’s newest album, Spiritual Healing: Bwa Kayiman Freedom Suite. Through his hour-long performance, Omicil channels the energy from the ceremony into a free jazz rendition, utilizing various woodwind and brass instruments alongside percussion, keys, and bass.
The first track of the album starts with a simple arrangement, featuring Omicil singing while saxophone, bass clarinet, and percussionist Yoann Danier on ka drum play plaintive melodies. Danier’s hand movements on the drum imitate the sound of rustling leaves in a forest, creating an imagined setting of Bois Caïman for the listener. However, Omicil breaks the tranquil atmosphere with a bold cornet solo. This sets the tone for the rest of the album, with compositions that initially establish a sense of comfort before taking unexpected turns.
For example, on songs like “Spirit Yo Bak,” there is a fast and complex drum and ka beat that is played with great energy before pianist Randy Kerber takes over with a slower and reflective solo. In contrast, “Blue Cotton” begins softly with Omicil playing a gentle melody on the flute, but soon transitions into a chaotic mix of saxophone notes over the crashing cymbals of drummer Arnaud Dolmen.
This music is designed to grab the attention of the audience, preparing us for a feeling of transformation and unease – the possibility of an uprising. The band never fully reaches the spiritually liberating and genre-defining free jazz of pioneers like Albert Ayler; instead, Omicil invites us into a restless realm of potential. It may not always be easy to listen to, but it is exhilarating, with unexpected outbursts that remind us that revolution is always within reach, closer than we realize.
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Additionally, released this month is…
Aron Ottignon, a producer from New Zealand, and the Senegalese group Jeri Jeri have collaborated on their first album together, Dama Bëgga Ñibi (Urban Trout Records). This album is a lively and infectious combination of electronic melodies and syncopated rhythms, enhanced by the vocals of various talented singers. On her latest release, Lonely Whales (Alchimie Records), French-Beninoise vocalist Mina Agossi blends jazz improvisation with electronic elements, creating a downtempo fusion. While the synth pads and sound design may be subtle at times, they provide a perfect backdrop for Agossi’s agile vocals on the title track. El Terreno (Music for Dreams) is the latest release from flamenco guitarist Jacob Gurevitsch, featuring a minimalist yet emotive collection of finger-picked melodies. The standout track, “For Your Love,” showcases the expressive playing of Cuban jazz trumpeter Arturo Sandoval.
Source: theguardian.com
