DWIGHT TRIBLE: Living Water
Passin' the Vibe, 2004 / Ninja Tune, 2006

Spiritual, afrocentric vocal jazz in the tradition of Leon Thomas: deep, passionate and uplifting, with many nods to Coltrane, civil rights leaders, etc. A solid group of L.A. musicians anchors Trible’s soaring, wrenching baritone with a thick foundation of 60s-style consciousness jazz, soulful r&b and African percussion. Tracks 1, 2, 4 all put original lyrics to others’ tunes (as does 7, which uses Abbey Lincoln’s lyrics to Coltrane’s “Africa”). Powerful, meditative, stirring, just amazing.

Fo’s Picks: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9

1. 4:33 – slow & magisterial: huge vocal over Coltrane melody, spoken ending
2. 9:16 – deeply spiritual tribute to “prophet” John Coltrane: a thick, heady flow
3. 6:50 – exotic melody, deep bassline, gorgeous wordless vocals swoop & fly
4. 6:38 – classic standard, w/poetic lyrics + scat, rolling rhythms, synth tones
5. 7:57 – smooth r&b slow-jam with mystic lyrics, nice piano solo
6. 8:01 – gauzy “jazz-meets-quiet-storm” feel, flute & vibes float in background
7. 6:40 – Coltrane tune: deep roots groove with r&b flavor, cool poetry break
8. 5:42 – soft jazz ballad w/electric & acoustic pianos
9. 2:36 – echoing solo vocal, like a gospelly Gregorian chant, with tolling bell

[ Fo ] 30-Apr-07