LAUREN HENDERSON

SOMBRAS

Brontosaurus Records

Lauren Henderson, vocals/composer/arranger/producer; Joel Ross, vibraphone; Sean Mason, piano; Jonathan Michel, bass; Joe Dyson, drums/percussion.

Joe Dyson’s percussion licks open the first tune on Lauren Henderson’s new album as her smokey, seductive voice sings “Fuego.”  Henderson has added the vibraphone of Joel Ross to the mix and the instrument adds a friendly brightness to her warm vocals.

Lauren Henderson is a jazz singer and songwriter I have been reviewing for several years. On this album, she has penned songs that trace her mixed ancestry, whose roots span Panama, Montserrat, and the Caribbean. However, she was raised in North America, releasing a slew of well-produced albums.  Henderson has always included music with lyrics sung in both English and Spanish.  The title of the vocalist’s recent album is “Sombras.” That translates to ‘shadows’ in English. Lauren feels this title evokes the idea of her ancestry being the shadows of herself.  It becomes a metaphor describing her present actions and self-awareness as a light in the visible world.  Her genealogy is the unspoken and hidden force that drives her forward, with all its beautiful intricacy and shadowy mystique.

On her song titled “Illumination” Lauren Henderson harmonizes with her vocals and creates a rich, inviting sound.  The vocalist has arranged all the music on this album, written the lyrics and melodies to all the songs, and is the project producer. The one thing that bothers me about this release is ‘the mix.’ I think her voice should be pulled out more from the band.

Her song called “Tormento” is a dark, chocolate-sweet production that features Sean Mason on piano, with the Dyson drums powerfully slapping the rhythm into place. On a tune called “Walking” Jonathan Michel’s bass is prominent in the rhythm section.  His bass line rocks back and forth, dancing beneath the solo of Mason on piano.  Michel’s bass is always prominent, but never intrusive. Jonathan is spotlighted on “Dignidad” with his bass opening the tune and helping to establish the Latin jazz groove.

This is a delightful blend of original music, Latin jazz, and ancestral importance that is reflected in Henderson’s lyrical stories.  Surrounded by brilliant musician friends, Lauren Henderson brings us an album that is musically unique and continues to establish her as an inventive vocal stylist and songwriter.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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