LAKECIA BENJAMIN

PHOENIX REIMAGINED (LIVE)

Ropeadope Records

Lakecia Benjamin, alto saxophone/vocals/composer/arranger; Zaccai Curtis & Ray Angry, piano; Elias Bailey & Richie Goods, bass; E. J. Strickland, drums; John Scofield, guitar; Randy Brecker, trumpet; Jeff ‘Tain’ Watts, drums; Melodie Ray, vocals.

This album captures all the excitement and spontaneity of a ‘Live’ performance.  It also showcases the composition talents of Lakecia Benjamin, in addition to her tenacity on alto saxophone. This concert performance concentrates on tunes from her acclaimed Phoenix project , adding four new songs she has composed. Her former 2023 “Phoenix” album received three Grammy nominations and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Jazz Album.

For this project, the place is Brooklyn’s “The Bunker” where the concert was performed, and it captures crisp in-studio quality along with the support and wild exuberance of her audience.

Benjamin’s artistry is inspired by her love of John Coltrane and her own open heart that embraces peace, love, unity and music as paths to human growth and a more loving humanity. She and her all-star group open this album with four of Benjamin’s original songs: “Trane” then “Phoenix Reimagined,” “Let Go” and “Mercy.”  On her original Phoenix album, the tune “Mercy” featured the rich, dynamic voice of Diane Reeves.

This ‘Live’ project has changed musicians, but the energy and excellence remain the same.  Lakecia Benjamin adds a dimension of Hip Hop on her song “Let Go” and performs spoken word that uplifts and encourages, with Melodie Ray’s lovely vocals singing in the background.  An exciting guitar solo lifts the arrangement.  This time Lakecia Benjamin sings “Mercy” herself and her alto saxophone dances over the chord changes in a feathery-light way.

On her track titled, “Amerikkan Skin” she introduces the original melody with a Hip Hop rap.  Some of the spoken word says:

“I dream of a world where peace is possible.  For every man, for every nation, for every creed.  Where the sun shines down and we truly know what it means to live, love, and be free together. Tonight, we are celebrating joy, and power, and freedom, and unity for every man, woman and child out there, because we come in love,” Lakecia teaches.

She empowers us with her music, her words and her talent.  I felt rejuvenated and hopeful after hearing this Lakecia Benjamin project.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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