Jazz |
I knew nothing about this vibraphonist, and I must confess that from the very first track, I was dazzled by her compositions and her vision of an art deeply rooted in African heritage. This was all expressed through an extraordinary elegance in the arrangements, perfectly showcasing each instrument, offering melodies as complex as they are warm. Brooklyn, New York, remains an almost mythologized city in the American cultural imagination. To the uninitiated, perhaps thoughts of a bustling, diverse metropolis and maybe even underground music come to mind. But for vibraphonist and composer Nikara Warren, and for the multitude of others who were born and raised in Brooklyn, the city represents the relentless pursuit of dreams against all odds—a unique cocktail of wealth, social struggle, and cultural crossroads. And yet, amidst these blended impressions, for Warren and her peers, this city is undeniably home.
Her music is a form of urban jazz, yet elevated by a world music sensibility, pop influences, and other genres, all masterfully handled with extraordinary intelligence. I’m not generally a fan of the vibraphone, but here, it’s pure genius!
Brooklyn, the cradle that nurtured brilliance in the face of adversity, has fed countless artistic talents. It is from this rich, diverse tapestry that makes up Brooklyn’s collective identity that Warren felt the irresistible need to create something new once again. As times change, Brooklyn remains her home, and the deep affections she holds for the city inspired her to release « The Queen of Kings County ». This second album, released under the stage name « NIKARA presents Black Wall Street », blends original compositions and eclectic arrangements to explore the rich depth of Black American music, spanning Brooklyn’s Caribbean heritage and the voices of icons like Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, and Curtis Mayfield.
Indeed, this music is steeped in a strong cultural and historical foundation, shaped by a modern and thoughtful vision, almost as if this artist, while young, had attended countless jazz concerts, thinking, “I’ll take a bit of this art, and a bit of that,” before she even considered making this her career.
Musically, Warren infuses this album with the mosaic of sounds that fill the streets, radios, and clubs of Brooklyn. She describes it herself as “feel-good music with jazz as its root,” noting that as a vibraphonist, her focus throughout the album is more on rhythm and feel than on complex harmonies. “My compositions are influenced by hip-hop, R&B, house, and electronic music, while remaining grounded in improvisation,” explains Warren. “My music is eclectic, but many of my tracks emphasize dance and groove.” And this is precisely what stands out about the album—it makes you want to dance as much as listen, as the search for artistic beauty reaches its zenith. I remain in awe of the discovery of such remarkable artists who enrich both our intellect and our attachment to the arts.
To achieve the varied and intricate sonic palettes on this album, Warren enlisted a wide range of top-tier musicians. *The Queen of Kings County* highlights the contributions of: Nikara Warren (vibraphone, vocals, synthesizers), Craig Hill (tenor saxophone), Alonzo Demetrius (trumpet), Hailey Niswanger (bass clarinet, clarinet, saxophones, flute), Corey Sanchez (electric and acoustic guitars), Axel Tosca (piano, keyboards, Rhodes, organ, synthesizers), Parker McAllister (electric bass), and David Frazier Jr. (drums, SPD). The album also features special guests such as Kenny Barron (piano), Tamir Shmerling (bass), and EJ Strickland (drums) on the previously mentioned track *Stratford Penthouse*. Some of these musicians may already be familiar to you as they are regularly featured on Bayou Blue Radio or in our reviews.
An album like this, full of wonderful surprises and extraordinary musicians, is one to cherish. You will find the necessary links to explore this artist for yourself at the end of this piece, as this album naturally joins our long list of “2024 Essentials”.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, October 19th 2024
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