Tangential Roots

  Jim Campilongo       "Orange"

Tangential Choral

     "Bobby McFerrin        "VOCAbuLarieS" 

Bobby is a one-of-kind vocal genius. He has rare improvisational vocal skills, ability to integrate a myriad of influences, create new vocabularies and a voice that dazzles with its range and technique.

"VOCAbularieS", McFerrin's first cd in 8 years, is easily his most ambitious and represents new territory. As record companies cut back and others go under, it's impressive Bobby was able to realize his vision with this 7 year labor of love.

The recording is a collaboration with the composer/arranger/producer Roger Treece, a member of Bobby’s improvising vocal ensemble Voicestra.

The 7 tracks feature extended compositional forms that resonate with the unexpected. Bobby's virtual choir is made up of members of Voicestra and singers from jazz, opera, performance art, early music, cabaret and rock. The music as a whole cannot be categorized but among its elements are R&B, classical choral  and African tribal chant. The singers were encouraged to break free of  choral convention.  The lyrics offer a collage of Latin, Italian, Sanskrit, Zulu, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, French, Arabic, German, English, Gaelic as well as Bobby's own invented language.

In true Tangential spirit, it transcends all borders and embraces all cultures.

Tangential  Dance

Khaled       "Liberte"  (North African/Arabic)

Khaled, the "King of Rai" (rousing dance music of Algeria) has finally put out a cd that does justice to his name. Many of his recordings have featured his remarkable voice wedged between synths and drum machines. But Liberté delivers the true sound of Khaled as it is a return to the roots of rai. What put me over the top is the use of an Egyptian string section that sets the stage for transitions that are positively uplifting. This is rai at its best. 

Tangential Jazz

      Christian Scott    "Yesterday You Said Tomorrow"

Completing four utterly Tangential distinctive choices is the latest cd by New Orleans trumpeter/composer Christian Scott. I have considered Christian a rising star for a while. But with his 4th cd his star has arrived. Let's give the mic to Christian:

"I wanted to create a musical backdrop that referenced everything I liked about the music from the ‘60s - Miles Davis' second quintet, Coltrane's quartet, Mingus' band - coupled with music made by people like Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix. The music from that era just had more depth, whether it was jazz or rock or folk or whatever. The political and social climate at the time was much heavier, and there were a few musicians who weren't afraid to reference that climate in their work."

It's a rare artist who can integrate influences yet retain a fresh, vital and distinctive voice. Christian's ensemble work is wayyy mature for a 26 year old. He is one of the faces of Tangential jazz and will be for decades to come.