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Feature / CD Review
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Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Feature / CD Review >>
Songs of Somi a rich mix of African, American
- By Ellis Widner
Few musicians embody the word fusion — and not just musically — more than Somi, the singer with the alluring voice, intoxicating music and American and African background.
Somi was born in Illinois, a diplomat's daughter who grew up mostly in America. Her parents are from Rwanda and Uganda.
The songs on the lovely Red Soil in My Eyes (World Village) reflect that dualism in her life and upbringing. This delicious brew of soul, jazz and African folk traditions is poetic, imbued with a deep personal and spiritual longing, and sung with heartfelt emotion. In her own powerful way, Somi has built a bridge between two cultures, two worlds, two sides of her self and made them a harmonious one.
Like Somi, Red Soil is a hybrid of the traditional and the contemporary. The albtrni is elegant, possessing a striking stylistic range. Somi's embrace of two home cultures — America and Africa — and her singtalar vision ring true. One of this album's real joys is its depth, as many of the songs tmfold layers of emotion and meaning. Her four-octave range impresses, but her vocal naturalism impresses even more. The songs include "Ingele," sung in Swahili with a bossa nova-style feel. Somi's voice is subtle and stiltry on this alluring track. 'African Lady" is an Afro-Cuban rhythmic delight with a chorus from Fela Kuti's tune "Lady." The title song is a tribute to her ancestors and is sung in English and the languages of western Uganda and Rwanda. "Quietly" (in English) is a sotilfiil and sweeping ballad of romantic longing. And, if you wait a couple of minutes after "Natural," you'll hear a haunting hidden track titled "Remembrance," for those who died, and survived, dviring the Rwanda genocide of 1994.
This multi-lingual, treastire of an album showcases a bright, thrilling talent.
05/27/07
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