Hump-day or not, Wednesday isn’t gonna get in the way of my attempts at keeping my mood relaxed and easy-going this week. For me it’s just another opportunity to ease some smooth sounds into your ear with the same finesse I’ve been using to ease myself from a standing to sitting position and back again while my back is on the mend.
Thankfully, the soulfully sophisticated sounds of Ethiopian-born, Maryland-based singer/songwriter Wayna’s new album Higher Ground might be so slick that no special dexterity be required to achieve auricular penetration. But once its sonics saturate your insides even the creakiest of joints should feel well lubricated and the many irritating frictions of life smooth to the touch.
Collaborations with producers like Kev Brown, Kokayi, Roddyrod (of Maspyke, my adopted hometown Springfield, Massachusetts’ flagship Hip-Hop crew) and others give Higher Ground a sort of “Hip-Hop Soul” vibe at times. And while the term “Hip-Hop Soul” has become increasingly meaningless in the 15 years since it was coined to describe Mary J. Blige’s then cutting-edge sound, it fits the loose pastiche of organic programming, bass-heavy-kicks, vinyl static, samples and warm, etheric instrumentation that underline Wayna’s Jazz-inflected vocals as well as any.
On the mic homegirl’s high-pitched cooing reminds me a lot of early Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and pre-”Rehab” Amy Winehouse while owing a debt to the Jazz greats that laid the groundwork for their styles and ’70s songbird Minnie Riperton as well. Her songwriting, particularly on the crass “Mr. Duracell,” shares a kinship with that of Winehouse and Badu as well, namely their Frank and “Tyrone” eras. While the more serious socio-political commentary tracks like the dirty-cop metaphor “Billy Club” (produced by and featuring previous Blogarhythms featuree Muhsinah), the uplifting “New Scenery,” and the upbeat sufferers-song “Home” balance contemporary bohemian coffee-shop consciousness with the (seemingly) naive innocence of positive musical messengers from times past.
Wayna “Home”
The only mis-step for me is her reinterpretation of the aforementioned Minnie Riperton’s classic “Lovin’ You.” Sadly it’s the sort of ill-conceived generic genre-mash that made me stop paying Wyclef any mind. But hitting the “skip” button is something else that can be done with ease, so it’s no big deal.
If you’re less forgiving than I, and need to wash the thought of such an “homage” out of your memory you might want to jump into the tub with previous Blogarhythms featurees Omega Love, a five-piece organic Dance-band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and their brand new sophomore LP Ava. I mean, it’s not like there are that many things more relaxing than a bath. And relaxation is what I’m all about this week.
While the group has for sure stepped up their production, recording, mixing and mastering game not much has changed musically between their self-titled debut (which I profiled last year) and Ava. They still play a unique brand of Sophisti-Pop made over for the dancefloor, marrying jazzy instrumentation, fuzzy Rock guitars, electronic bleeps and a sinuous rhythm section fueled by thumping drums & funky basslines. It just sounds better this time around. And the album artwork, design and packaging absolutely kills the bare bones duplication of it’s predecessor.
So, what does a blender full of Jazz, Cabaret-Pop, Punk-Funk, New Wave, Synthpop, Shoegaze and Disco sound like? Well, points of reference include Everything But the Girl, ESG, Sade, Liquid Liquid, Joe Jackson (think “Steppin’ Out”), The Gossip and Chin Chin among others. I understand if that might be difficult for some to wrap their heads around though, so why not do the easy thing instead and peep the “Ennio Morricone and Nelly McKay are playing at James Murphy’s house”-sounding jam “My Dear” below.
Omega Love “My Dear”
10 Comments
gravity508
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Kuddos for recognizing Wayna
Kev
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There are very few albums that I can listen to and enjoy from beginning to end. Wayna’s is definitely one of those.
Martin
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I frequently play my Higher Ground CD on my way home from work (about an hour commute) to help me relax. There is only one other artist that make me go from 60 to 0 that quickly. I love it!
February
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Really enjoy listening to my Wayna’s Higher Ground CD.
Barksdale
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great review. picked this album up Friday on the strength of this review and I must say you weren’t lying man, BUT I must politely disagree with you on that Loving You remix man. You gotsta give that piece one more chance, the lyrics are on point! Do your Thang tho dude. Peace!!!
JJ
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This album is Dope! on constant rotation in my car, my PC, my ipod, my computer at work…need I say more? Glad to see you worked your kinks out there tho. :D It’s a wonderful follow up to Moments of Clarity. Um, but for real tho, can I see a formal review on the reviews page and all, I was looking for my 5 afros or 100% or something?????? HELLOOOOOO!!!! LOL!
BUT ON THE REAL….Thank you mucho mucho much for Recognizing the remarkable, one-of-a-kind talent and songwriting prowess that is WAYNA!
love, me
xoxo
JJ
t
Adama
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Nice review! I love Wayna’s music! Thanks Okay for recognizing her.
It’s Posh!
Robert Generette III
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“There’s 3 states of matter: solid, liquid & gas. Wayna’s latest sonic venture encompasses all 3 states. A fluid yet solid sound that’s like a breathe of fresh air.”
-rOb.
Sidebar:
Her flyer designs are fresh! Wonder who designs them.
Tamara Wellons
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“New Scenery” and “Daydream” are my favorites. This woman is truly blessed with a heavenly voice and spirit. (Okay Player) You picked a great one.
From one vocalist to another…beautiful work Wayna!
Tam
Mwabi
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I love how she flipped Loving You.
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