Humanité (Artistry Music)
Kirk Whalum
Released October 11, 2019
Jazziz Critics’ Picks 2019
YouTube:
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nY6h6cc-mQ3qDdHkUSJumrCuZ9ioJ0wEs
Spotify:
About:
Humanité is unlike any album Kirk has ever made – the synergistic result of encounters made and relationships formed onstage and off with some of the finest recording artists from all over the world.
Kirk’s collaborators on the album include Japanese jazz pianist Keiko Matsui, the young bass phenomenon Barry Likumahuwa, gifted singer/songwriter Grace Sahertian and global pop star singer/actor Afgan, all hailing from Indonesia; vocalist/guitarist Zahara, one of South Africa’s biggest stars; Kasiva Mutwa of Nairobi; and the veteran UK jazz vocalist Liane Carroll, long considered by cognoscenti as one of the finest voices in the genre.
Over a period of three months in 2018, Kirk and his longtime friend and producer, the British jazz trumpeter and session musician James McMillan, recorded tracks in locations ranging from studios in Jakarta, Tokyo, Paris, Nairobi, Johannesburg and Hastings, to hotel rooms, office buildings and even Kirk’s living room in Memphis. According to Kirk, language and cultural barriers faded away once the playing and improvisation began. As he sees it, music serves the same purpose all over the world for both artists and their audiences – a universal form of communication to share emotion and tell stories, but most especially to “enable liberation and freedom of expression.”
Track Listing:
1. Move on Up (Curtis Mayfield) 03:58
2. verybody Oughta Be Free (Kirk Whalum) 05:06
3. Don’t Get Me Wrong (I’m Grateful) (Joao Da Fonesca / Moshe Kgasoane / Sipho Mphahlaza / Kirk Whalum) 04:42
4. Wake Up Everybody (Victor Carstarphen / Gene McFadden / John Whitehead) 04:56
5. Wildflower (Doug Edwards / Dave Richardson) 05:02
6. Get Your Wings Up (Andréa Lisa) 05:29
7. Now I Know (James McMillan / Bulelwa Mkutukana / Kirk Whalum) 04:07
8. SJL (Kirk Whalum) 05:07
9. Korogocho (Kirk Whalum) 05:57
10. Blow 4U (Marcus Finnie / Braylon Lacy / John Stoddart / Kevin Turner / Kirk Whalum) 04:40
11. Kwetu (Aaron Rimbui) 05:34
12. Peace (Grace Sahertian / Kirk Whalum) 04:47
13. We Shall Overcome You (Bukola Elemide / Kirk Whalum) 03:56
14. From the East to the West 04:31
Personnel:
Kirk Whalum: saxophones
Brendan Reilly (1), Robyn Troop (2), Mi Casa (3), Afgan (4), Liane Carroll (5), Andrea Lisa (6), Zahara (7), Grace Sahertian (12): vocals
Mark Jaimes, Tsepo Teddy Moloi, Gary Goin, Kevin Turner: guitar
James McMillan, Dr Duda, Chris Carter: keyboards
Mark Edwards, John Stodhart, Keiko Matsui (8): piano
Mo-T: trumpet
Senzo Gabriel Mzimela: trombone
Kasiva Mutwa: percussion
Marcus Miller (9), Brayton Lacy: bass guitar
Marcus Finnie, Wesley Joseph: drums
Barry Likumahuwa (9): percussion
Erskine Hawkins: clarinet
+
Heavenese (14) – Marie Ishii, Kumiko Ishii, Maki: vocals; Kabelo Seleki, Noaya: saxofones; Idy: bass guitar; Motoki: shamisen; Tomoko: koto; Ryosuke: keyboards
Producer: James McMillan for Quiet Money Productions
Review:
Saxist and New Orleans native Kirk Whalum comes across as a master of ceremonies on this celebrative session that sounds like a mix of a jam session and Wednesday Night Revival meeting. Upbeat tunes like “Move On Up” feature Brendan Reilly on lead vocals along with Whalum’s rich tenor, while the R&B smoker “Everybody Oughta Be Free” has Robyn Troop along with choir vocals by The Voices of Huamnite.” Mark James’ bass gives a rich line for Andrea Lisa for “Get Your Wings Up” and the soul groover “Don’t Get Me Wrong (I’m Grateful)” has James McMilan on the humming keyboards. The ballad “Wake Up Everybody” melds Aigan’s lovely voice with Whalum’s warm tenor. Marcus Miller brings his thumb slapping bass for “Korogocho” and the team gets down and funky for a Crescent City’d “From East To West.” Each of the guest vocalists sound like they should have their own album and lead their own church choir. Sunday morning all week long!
George W. Harris (Jazz Weekly)
