Vocalist Somi Kakoma is one of the few artists who have successfully bridged modern jazz with African roots. Born in Illinois, and currently living in New York, her Rwanda/Uganda-born parents have passed on an appreciation of the passions of Africa’s heart. Here, she heads south, to South Africa, for inspiration from the famed civil rights activist/singer-songwriter Miriam Makeba for an alluring album that captures her heart, soul and passion.
Somi’s voice is a force of nature in itself, deep and swooping not unlike vintage Sarah Vaughan, but even more dark and visceral at times. She’s teamed up with Nate Smith/dr, ToruDodo/p, Herve Samb/g, Michael Olatuja/b, Mino Cinchu/perc, Myron Walden/ts, Jeremy Pelt/tp, Lakeeia Benjamin/as, a string section and group of backing vocalists, who usually bring in rich South African harmonies.
There are also a surfeit of guests, such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who add rich voices and vocal clicks as percussion to Somi’s haunting solo to “Nonqonquo”. Likewise, there is Angelique Kidjo adding supports with vocal pants as the beat for “Jike’lemawene”. Solemn chorals surround Somi from Nduduzo Makhathini on “Maghongo”, and Gregory Porter glides around Olatuja’s slinky bass with Somi on a lilting “Love Tastes Like Straberries”. Somi swoops like a pelican for prey around Afro Cuban percussion on a riveting “House of the Rising Son”, and is delicate around the strings with Msaki on “Khululma” and a choir and Bartokian harmonies, drawing you in for “Pata Pata”.
There are 17 songs in all, each one a different marble color, fitting into the textured mosaic perfectly. When you step back, you’ll observe them all pieced together telling a rich story. Take this tribute in slowly.