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Akua Dixon: Akua's Dance
ByThe joyous ambience and the instrumentation, Dixon accompanied by guitar, bass and drums, are reminiscent of gypsy jazz. This is most apparent on the undulating "If My Heart Could Speak To You" with guitarist

Russell Malone
guitar1963 - 2024
Another guitarist

Freddie Bryant
guitar
Kenny Davis
bassb.1961

Victor Lewis
drumsb.1950
Lewis drives "Afrika! Afrika!" with thudding beats and splashing cymbals. His lithe polyrhythms bring a primal spirituality to Dixon's dramatic original. Dixon's unaccompanied cello opens the music on a captivating note. The band's alternating lines build a vibrant tune that brims with fervor and intelligence with hints of angularity. As the tempo picks up and Dixon improvises with fiery energy and maintains a mellifluous edge. Bassist

Ron Carter
bassb.1937
Similarly warm and soulful is the quartet's take on the traditional spiritual "I'm Gonna Tell God All Of My Troubles." Over Bryant's reverberant strums, Dixon plays the main theme with fluidity and grace. Her interpretation of the song is simultaneously uplifting and wistful. simultaneously uplifting. Bryant showcases his virtuosity with a stimulating and poignant performance that evolves over Lewis' sashaying brushes and Davis' thumping bass.
All of Dixon's recordings are equally stirring and spirited which the accomplished cellist/violinist infuses with her characteristic brilliance and charisma. Akua's Dance is not an exception. In addition, it is, perhaps, her most cohesive and most polished work to date. ">
Track Listing
I Dream A Dream; Dizzy's Smile; If My Heart Could Speak To You; Orion's Gait; Akua's Dance; Throw It Away; Afrika! Afrika!; The Sweetest Taboo; I'm Gonna Tell God All Of My Troubles; Don't Stop.
Personnel
Akua Dixon
celloAkua Dixon: baritone violin (1, 2, 5, 8-10); Freddie Bryant: guitar (1, 2, 5, 6, 8-10); Kenny Davis: bass (1, 2, 5, 6, 8-10)Victor Lewis: drums; Russell Malone: guitar (3, 4, 7); Ron Carter: bass (3, 4, 7).
Album information
Title: Akua's Dance | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: Self Produced
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