Conversations With the Unseen [Import]

Soweto Kinch | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 28, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dune
• ASIN: B00008Y3UP
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #589,669 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A man to look out for in the 21st century!, May 18, 2007

By 

Olukayode Balogun (Leeds, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversations With the Unseen (Audio CD)

Alto saxophonist Soweto Kinch is definitely a man to look out for in the 21st century. I bought 2006's "A Life In The Day of B19: Tales of the Tower Block", his second and most recent album first. It's not available here for some strange reason, not even on import; I had to go to Amazon's UK site for it but I knew after just one listen that I would eventually come back and seek out this one too.

I was very sceptical about Kinch's blend of rap and jazz in the beginning but I've warmed to it now. Of course rap and jazz have been happy bedfellows for a while but having them both performed by the same artiste and on the same record, is definitely new to me. Kinch could very well set off a trend but I doubt there are many out there who will be able to carry it off with the same competent equanimity. This is a niche he will be occupying on his own for some time to come, I think.

I also saw him perform live here in Leeds recently. He's a man of presence, of great personality and charm. His band was one of the tightest I've seen in some time and they are all on this CD: Femi Temowo on guitar, Michael Olatuja on double bass, Abram Wilson on trumpet (and vocals) and the absolutely incredible Troy Miller on drums.

As far as the rapper side of Kinch is concerned, I find his lyrics intelligent and deep, while maintaining a certain humour. He doesn't seem to be rapping for the sake of being a rapper; he raps because he has something to say. You'll find none of the usual commercial bandwagon rubbish on here. He's also anti-capitalism, anti-profanity and anti-bling. My kind of hip-hop artiste. And this is 'real' hip-hop with a British accent, not that 250 words per minute 'Grime' thing that's currently very popular among teenagers and young adults here in the UK.

As for the jazz, well, these young men play 'real' jazz too. Not jazz fusion or smooth jazz. Real jazz. Kinch plays the saxophone with great feeling - heart, soul and warmth on the ballads and great gusto and precision on the fast grooves. He also has an interesting and unique approach to composition. There's not the usual theme, theme, couple of solos, theme and then fade or end here, and this makes his songs particularly intriguing and captivating to listen to. There are times when the interplay between Kinch and Temowo reminds me of John Scofield's well-established working partnership with Joe Lovano and that's saying something for such new talent. Onwards and upwards, it seems to me there's no limit to where these guys could go.

I also have to profess mad love and respect for Kinch, for being a member of a breed that's so rare in today's world of commercial homogeny: the modern musical artiste who dares to be different, who dares to be himself.

Favourite tracks: "Intro", "Doxology", the dreamy "Conversations With The Unseen", "Spokes and Pedals", "Snakehips" and the intriguing "The Flame-Thrower". Also worth looking out for is the brilliant Eska Mtungwazi on vocals, on "Intro", "Good Nyooz" and "Outro". Trumpeter Abram Wilson's vocals on the excellent and humorous storyteller "Intermission - Split Decision" were a revelation. He's a very good singer indeed.

But once again, I'm reviewing a CD that is brilliant in its entirety. Produced by Jason Yarde, this is fantastic stuff with jazz, hip-hop, social commentary and even a touch of comedy. Highly recommended.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Expectations..., September 17, 2005

By 

JazzLoveLive - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversations With the Unseen (Audio CD)

I had an opportunity to see them live in NYC during the Charlie Parker festival. Unfortunately, the saxophone player was unable to play. Yet, I was impressed with their music. I personally like the mixture of Hip-Hop and traditional jazz rhythms. Most people believe that only good Jazz can be found in the US but, there are several good talented artists all over the world. I am looking forward to more good things from them in the future.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This music opened my eyes, April 5, 2005

By 

saxophonist (finland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Conversations With the Unseen (Audio CD)

Sorry I don't speak english very well but let's try ;)

Okey. Before this album I listened allmost only "ordinary" american and finnish jazz. BeBop, HardBop, Swing, etc. I was quite sceptical for free and other "modern" jazz. When I firs hear this album I thinked this was not for me. Too unusual. But when I listened it once very carefully from begin to end my eyes (ears) opened really and now I want more this kind pf music. I have bought for example Greg Osby, Jason Moran etc.