Imani Uzuri: The Gypsy Diaries

By Deanne Sole 8 June 2012

This was a Kickstarter project and anyone who donated to it is right now patting themselves kindly on the head and cooing, “Nicely done.” You can describe it as New Age New Testament gospel, with sitar, bell, folk-flute, blues, Celtic country fiddling, raga integrated with American styles—you can conclude that she’s been planning this a long time. A credo of praise and perseverance operates in the lyrics. “Love is patient, love is kind,” she sings, and, “Let your spirit guide you, to where you want to be.” She ascends mountains, walks to stations, receives visitors from overseas, and puts “flowers in my hair and in my heart”. Her granny loves her, and she loves you. It sounds sincere. Her full deep voice justifies whatever struggle she had getting the album made. She thought that voice was worth something and she was right.