Music / jazz

Blank canvas


Reviews (3)


Glide magazine

d. 8. Nov. 2022

By

By

Jim Hynes

d. 8. Nov. 2022

"Consider Charles a very socially and culturally attuned artist in the vein of Abbey Lincoln and Betty Carter. One of the clear highlights is her interpretation of "Freedom Day,", from Max Roach's iconic 1961 protest album We Insist! Freedom Now Suite, which originally featured Abbey Lincoln. This version, with Charles absolutely wailing, comes more than sixty years later but is just as importantly relevant. It features atmospheric drums, a striking bass feature, and Adjuah's pizzicato-like string tones on his Adjuah Bow, a self-designed string instrument modeled on the African kora and n'goni enhanced with electronic effects ... The album is both cathartic and spiritual., a progressive vocal effort from an artist with a limitless imagination".


Jazz journal

d. 23. Dec. 2022

By

By

Bruce Crowther

d. 23. Dec. 2022

"[Charles] draws on multiple genres, including world music, new-age soul and contemporary jazz and her music contains occasional subtle echoes of latterday R&B ... In her songwriting, Charles takes a clear-eyed look at many of today's political issues, particularly with regard to race. The lyrics of her songs clearly demonstrate an intellectual approach, a quality that is effectively underscored by the music she has composed".


DownBeat

2023 January

By

By

J. Poet

2023 January

"The album incorporates elements of jazz, R&B, rock and world music. The arrangements treat her vocals as another instrument in the mix, often blending into the experimental soundscapes".