Recently on Twitter I met Melvin Gibbs a journeyman bassman who has played for a variety of talented and edgy musicians ranging from Rollins and James White to Ronald Shannon Jackson and Defunkt. Melvin has been focusing more and more on his own musical vision lately which he channels via Elevated Entity. One of the thoughts I had and mentioned to Melvin in a conversation is how widespread the African music cultural influence is in the Americas ranging from Brazil all the way up to Canada. That was when he informed me how his newest work specifically addresses this African diaspora of musical influences viz a viz: reggae, hiphop, blues, jazz, rock, drum and bass, etc.
Melvin has the requisite educated, sensitive ear and the technical training and experience to blend this melange into a coherent vision-Ancient Speaks. If you want to journey through a wide range of beautiful sounds, textures, and colors and yet not lose the context between each piece this work is a good starting place. Rather than me talking to you about it further, Melvin has arranged a sample listening here. All full tracks. Take your time and listen to each one and you'll feel what Melvin and his talented crew of music veterans from Brazil to Brooklyn have to say with their voices, hands and instruments. You can find further info about Melvin and this release here. Talk to him on Twitter and let him know what you think of his music.
By: Mark Forman
03/17/09 >> 
