| Jazz |
A moving album by Nori, transcended by the voice of Akina Adderley.
Here is an album destined to captivate both jazz aficionados and soul music enthusiasts alike, a masterful, genre-blurring creation delivered with singular originality. At the heart of this powerful work is vocalist Akina Adderley, whose lineage alone might tempt comparisons (she is the great-niece of jazz legend Cannonball Adderley and granddaughter of Nat Adderley). Yet rather than simply walking the well-worn path of her forebears, she forges a bold artistic identity of her own. Her voice, resonant, controlled, and luminously expressive, is not just heard; it is felt, anchoring an album that both challenges and uplifts in equal measure.
The lyrical content is as poetic as it is grounded in the complex realities of the 21st century, addressing themes of trauma, resilience, and empowerment that remain painfully current. The album unfolds like a tapestry of narratives, each one colored by a different generational perspective. It weaves together stories exploring gender dynamics, marginalization, mental health, abandonment, hope, and rebirth. Drawing inspiration from the traditional craft of quilting, reflected in both the album’s title and cover art, the band constructs a sonic metaphor: just as a sewing machine’s presser foot stitches together heavy, disparate fabrics, so too do these songs bind together seemingly immovable layers of experience.
What emerges is not just a collection of songs, but an immersive musical experience. The arrangements are impeccable, brimming with understated virtuosity. This is a band that wears its musical identity with pride but without pretense. Whether it’s the subtle elegance of the keyboard lines, the warm gravity of the upright bass, or the brassy fire of the horns, every element is placed with meticulous care. The result is a sonic architecture that, while appearing simple at first listen, reveals a sophisticated blueprint beneath, a masterclass in arrangement and emotional balance.
Adderley’s voice is undeniably the gravitational force of the record, drawing listeners in from the first note to the last. But it is the rhythm, the harmonic layers, and the striking originality of the compositions that elevate the album into uncharted territory. Comparisons are difficult to make, not because the music is inaccessible, but because it stands on its own, refusing easy categorization. This is a rare body of work that invites, and rewards, deep listening. One cannot help but reflect on the very purpose of art while immersed in it. The track Piece of You, in particular, serves as a centerpiece: emotionally resonant, musically flawless, and profoundly graceful.
Akina Adderley asserts herself as a storyteller of the highest order. Her voice, rich and immersive, carries a narrative force that few contemporary vocalists can claim. This is not just an album; it is an offering of vision, soul, and intellect, likely to be referenced and revered for years to come.
Thierry De Clemensat
Member at Jazz Journalists Association
USA correspondent for Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief – Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, June 20th 2025
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NORI :
Akina Adderley – vocals
Erik Telford – trumpet
Nick Litterski – Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, piano
Aaron Allen – acoustic bass
Andy Beaudoin – drums, percussion
SPECIAL GUESTS :
Leigh Wallenhaupt – violin
Leah Nelson – viola
Rylie Harrod – cello
Tracklist :
Dead and Gone
Tiptoe
Old Man
Dawn
Set It Down
Hurricane
Piece of You
Quilt Song
Sound of Snow
Recorded and Mixed by Justin Douglas at King Electric Recording
Mastered by JJ Golden at Golden Mastering
Support provided by the City of Austin’s Austin Live Music Fund
Album Art by Fatima Carbajal
Lyrics by Akina Adderley
Music by Andy Beaudoin except “Hurricane” – Music by Erik Telford, and “Old Man” – Lyrics/Music by Neil Young
String Arrangements by Erik Telford
Produced by Andy Beaudoin and Nori