What can I say, the music inspires me. Over the past few weeks I’ve had the privilege of hearing some really great music. Some is very recent, while others have been around for a while…but all of given a sense of musical fulfillment that had definitely become more vacant in recent years.
Let’s start with Janelle Monáe, female r&b/electronic infused/rock innovator extraordinaire. I was able to cop the re-release of her 2007 album this week (originally titled Metropolis Suite I of IV: The Chase, and now titled Metropolis: The Chase Suite (Special Edition)). I have always had a soft spot for unusual or alternative female vocalists. Some musicians that come to mind are Lauryn Hill, Esthero, Tekitha, Björk, Martina Topley Bird, Patty Griffin (thank you so much for “Living with Ghosts”, Ani Di Franco, Beth Gibbons, Sade , Gwen Stefani (Don’t even front like No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom wasn’t the shit, Ol’ Girl from Soulstice, Skye Edwards, Sister Bliss, Liesje Sadonius, Kelli Dayton…etc., etc. I think you see where I’m going with this. If the vocals are powerful, soulful and different count me in, especially if it is trip hop from the mid to late 90’s.
I digress…The reason I started off with Monáe’s album is because it falls in line with many great albums that are near and dear to my heart. To anyone that says it’s too short…well, she did warn us by incorporating “suite” into the title. The raw vocal power of Monáe combined with her ability to switch tempos and tones sets are far apart from you run of the mill singers out there. No matter what the beat does or how straining a note should be, she manages it…seemingly without any stress or strange.
The more I think about it, the less inclined I am to write about the actual album, or her earlier works on the Idlewild soundtrack, Got Purp Volume 2, or “The Audition”. Quite honestly with a voice like this, anything she signs is a joy to hear…the fact that the content and subject matter of her songs is masterfully concepted and executed helps, but in the end the raw power and beauty of her voice made it a real pleasure for me to finally hear the Chase Suite this week.
And so I must say…thank you Ms. Monáe for bringing back that which inspires me…powerful and passionate music. Oh and by the way…Fritz lang…but for some reason this makes me think of Blade Runner too…
0 Responses to “Thanks guys…pt. 1: Janelle Monáe”