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From An Island: Ches Smith & We All Break and Dominican Jazz Project
ByMusically there is a lot of common ground, but both countries have distinct styles as well. Rites in Haiti's Vodou religion are accompanied by a drumming and chanting style heavily based in West African traditions, while the Dominican Republic is the home of merengue (one of the most influential Latin styles) as well as other Cuban-influenced music. Both of these albums include vocals, with the languages reflecting their history: Kreyòl ayisyen, the French-based Haitian Creole that is the native language of most Haitians (along with French it is also one of the official languages); and Spanish, the official language of the Dominican Republic. These two 2021 albums vividly present those contrasts, as well as representing a high level of achievement in the music of both places.

Path of Seven Colors
Pyroclastic Records
2021
Drummer/composer

Ches Smith
drumsTwo of the compositions ("Women of Iron" and the title tune) are purely instrumental. The rest combine songs (both traditional and newly written by
Daniel Brevil
percussion
Miguel Zenon
saxophone, altob.1976

Matt Mitchell
pianob.1975
"Lord of Healing" (the longest track on the album) is an especially good example of the fusion process. The four sections each utilize a different Petwo rhythm (from rites calling on the Petwo spirits) and incorporate two traditional songs. A rubato song begins, joined by tanbou drums which speed up to signal the first instrumental section. The drums continue to accompany dramatic, jagged unison lines from all of the other instruments. Piano and saxophone almost become drums themselves, playing a repeated riff to the dramatic conclusion, calling to mind Western minimalism like the music of

Philip Glass
composer / conductorb.1937

Steve Reich
composer / conductorb.1936
Path of Seven Colors is a rare example of successful cultural fusion. Jazz composition and improvisation and Haitian Vodou music both retain their identities, while simultaneously enriching each other and forming a harmonious whole.

Desde Lejos
Summit Records
2021
Since the

Dominican Jazz Project
band / ensemble / orchestrab.2011
Pianist

Stephen Anderson
piano
Sandy Gabriel
saxophoneb.1900

Guy Frometa
drumsCarlos Luis
guitarGuillo Carias
melodicaMayquel Gonzalez
trumpetThe band suffered a huge loss with the passing of bassist

Tracks and Personnel
Path of Seven ColorsTracks: Woule Pou Mwen; Here's The Light; Leaves Arrive; Women of Iron; Lord of Healing; Raw Urbane; Path of Seven Colors; The Vulgar Cycle.
Personnel: Ches Smith: drums; Matt Mitchell: piano; Miguel Zenon: saxophone, alto; Daniel Brevil: percussion; Markus Schwartz: percussion; Nick Dunston: bass; Sirene Dantor Rene: voice / vocals; Fanfan Jean-Guy Rene: percussion.
Desde Lejos
Tracks: Fuera de la Oscuridad; Ritmos de Baní; Sin Palabras; Como un Rayo Ciego; Si Tu Supieras; Pero Aún no es el Fin; Siempre Adelante; Una Más; Un Cambio de Ritmo.
Personnel: Sandy Gabriel: saxophones; Rahsaan Barber: tenor saxophone (2); Mayquel González: trumpet (5,6,7); Guillo Carias: clavietta (4,5,8); Carlos Luis: guitar, voice (4,8); Stephen Anderson: piano, accordion (3); Ramón Vázquez, bass; Guy Frómeta: drums; David Almengod: percussion, voice; Craig Butterfield: bass (1, 3); Jason Foureman: bass (4); Juan ?lamo: percussion (3,6); Marc Callahan: coro (2).
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