Matana Roberts is an internationally renowned composer, band leader, saxophonist, sound experimentalist and mixed-media practitioner. Her new project is titled Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis, a continuation of her amazing Coin Coin album series. This project continues where the last ones left off, with stunning saxophone compositions that are dense and incredibly soulful.
From the slow-paced ethereal opener “jewels of the sky: inscription” to the stunningly captivating “her mighty waters run / wild fire bare / fit to be tied” which brings an amazing experimental avant-garde sound. Throughout the album, on tracks like “her mighty waters run” and “raise yourself up / backbone once more / how bright they shine” there are sung ans spoken word moments that are personal, intimate and sometimes abstract. Thematically she touches on the African slave trade and black experience throughout the US in a concise and rather impressive way. They do a great job of really bringing her aura to record in a clear and beautiful way. The horns on “fit to be tied” are colourful and off-kilter, perfectly capturing the oddity of this album. Overall this is a stellar and truly captivating release that brings out spiritual and ethereal soundscapes and raw and honest lyrics.
Listen to Matana Roberts’ new album Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis below via Bandcamp and don’t forget to support! Released via Constellations Records.
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