| Jazz |
More than just an extraordinary voice, Nnenna Freelon possesses above all a vision of her art, deconstructing the structures of songs to heighten their dramatic essence, as only the greatest artists can. A jazz album, certainly, but one that brushes against the blues and soul with expert wings, carrying emotions through each note with an instrumentation tailored to perfection, almost minimalist, revealing the delicate fragility of a true vocalist. On such an album, there is no room for pretense; one simply closes their eyes and surrenders to the artistry, much like admiring a canvas by Salvador Dalí, who once told me in a grand Parisian hotel in the early 1980s that his inspiration stemmed not only from his muse but also from music, when it reaches its purest form.
Since her debut with Columbia in 1992, this seven-time Grammy® nominee has used her unique perspective to retell familiar stories, whether by reimagining Billie Holiday or paying tribute to Stevie Wonder. With Beneath the Skin, she ventures even deeper, drawing from her own experiences to craft sincere, heart-spoken songs, born of a curiosity that compels her to revisit the narratives woven into her life. Alongside pianist and co-arranger Alan Pasqua, Nnenna delivers her most intimate work to date. And how could I possibly let such an album pass unnoticed, especially when my favorite newspaper declares:
“What Freelon is building is not just a castle of love, but an expanded repertoire for jazz singers…” The Washington Post
A voice so profound it could be mistaken for the original cry that birthed the blues, an inner pain transfigured into beauty, offering a timeless poetic form. Beauty has this particular quality, it imposes itself, whether in art or in life, not as a matter of image but of essence. And this album, commanding and inescapable, held me captive, not because it dazzles with clever effects demanding intricate analysis, but quite the opposite: because of its exquisite simplicity and the magnificent voice sculpted by a lifetime of culture and years of relentless dedication.
March is the month of women, and I must say we are well served in jazz, with both emerging talents and seasoned artists like Nnenna, who continues to astonish us with an album that ultimately feels like a novel, a succession of scenes that leave an indelible mark. This is a work of art of the highest caliber, earning its rightful place among our collection of Essential Albums.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, March 13th 2025
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