Belleville Intelligencer

This album is a large-scale programmatic work that has been described as a “suite of electrifying and thought-provoking songs and spoken-word pieces meant to serve as a call to the barricades.” Powerful influences include the Haitian Revolution and the South American liberation from Spain. Musically, there are elements of jazz, samba, post-punk and classical all woven together by a quartet featuring bass, guitar, clarinet and drums.

Skies is influenced by Ornette Coleman’s Skies of America, with soaring clarinet by Owen Broder. The Trunk of Liberty rides a curious 11/8 groove and is inspired by Haitian revolutionary,Toussaint Loverture, as is another track titled Toussaint. Other highlights include The Road, Dessalines, Ember and a stirring cover of a protest song titled Hay Una Mujer (Holly Near), dedicated to victims of revolution.

I recommend listening to this album in one uninterrupted sitting.

                                                                                                            David Reed