Recorded Music of the African Diaspora

New Black Music Repertory Ensemble (Artist, Orchestra), Mary D. Watkins (Composer), Olly Wilson (Composer), Kirk Smith (Conductor), Leslie B. Dunner (Conductor), Bonita Hyman (Performer), Rodrick Dixon (Performer), Donnie Ray Albert (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Bonita Hyman, Rodrick Dixon, Donnie Ray Albert
• Orchestra: New Black Music Repertory Ensemble
• Conductor: Kirk Smith, Leslie B. Dunner
• Composer: Mary D. Watkins, Olly Wilson
• Audio CD (August 2, 2010)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Albany Records
• ASIN: B003TLRLK4
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #85,991 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Five Movements in Color

2. Of Visions and Truth: A Song Cycle

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Albany Records in cooperation with the Center for Black Music Research is initiating a series undertaking to document the musics of the African diaspora. This first volume features two orchestral works one by Mary Watkins, who is an eclectic composer and pianist of the classical and jazz traditions and the other by Olly Wilson, one of the most distinguished composers of his generation. Watkins' work swings, grooves, and hearkens to the roots of African-American musical expression. Elements of jazz, traditional African music and popular forms are merged with contemporary techniques and colorful orchestrations. A veritable tour de force, Wilson's multimovement song cycle features three vocal soloists and a chamber ensemble that highlights extensive percussion. Drawing from sources such as spirituals and African-American poets, Wilson uses musical and textual emblems from African-American poetry in inventive ways that both surprise and entice.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music of Power and Passion, August 7, 2010

By	Jane Cox - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Recorded Music of the African Diaspora (Audio CD)

This is thrilling music, passionately performed. My personal favorite is "Of visions and Truth: A Song Cycle" composed by Olly W. Wilson.

Using lyrics from spirituals, Harlem Renaissance poet Claude McKay, Black Arts Movement poet Henry Dumas, and one of his own poems, Mr. Wilson's Song Cycle illustrates the tension between an optimistic vision and historical fact; but words cannot convey the emotional impact; you must hear the music.

The piece is conducted by Kirk Smith with clarity, authority, power and subtlety.

Soloists Bonita Hyman, Rodrick Dixon, and Donnie Ray Albert have voices that shimmer, caress, yearn, and ultimately inspire.

Lastly,the composer and performing artists are as one in creating a rich musical experience that explodes with passion. It is hard to imagine music with a greater impact that the concluding phrases of "If We Must Die". Powerful beyond words.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Soul to Soul, August 6, 2010

By	ArielBlue - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recorded Music of the African Diaspora (Audio CD)

Thank you and congratulations to the Center for Black Music Research and Albany Records for this first very fine recording in your series of music from the African diaspora.
Mary Watkins' composition, Five Movements in Color is a joyful, sophisticated reflection of historical, jazz, and contemporary African-American music. Each movement is a programmatic musical essay and progresses from African past to uncertain journey, to modern experience, which is described by Watkins as "quasi- chronological". Bravo to the excellent New Black Music Repertory Ensemble and Leslie B. Dunner!

I believe Of Visions and Truth by Olly W. Wilson is a very significant work, anthropologically speaking, as it presents a serious musical interpretation of the historical social culture of the African-American male. Morally, I see it potentially as a valuable influence for cross-cultural understanding and critical social awareness. Musically, it beckons the human spirit and more importantly the soul to a moral reckoning in our American society. The African-American Spiritual message of hope and survival calls us to social change, not just in American society, but in the global society as well.
The vocalists, instrumentalists, and conductor Kirk Smith share their extraordinary talent in this performance!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You owe this one to your emotions and your heart, August 3, 2010

By	Dragonflydoc (Knoxville, TN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Recorded Music of the African Diaspora (Audio CD)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I popped this in. I admit I was a little embarrassed and ashamed as I listened to it...for several reasons. You go day to day just listening to the radio, music can just be a filler and if you hear a song you like, you typically lock onto lyrics. It is easy to forget just how evocative and emotional instruments-done right-can be. And the clarity and strength of the vocals-OMG. I felt like a part of me that I had let slip away was back. This music is so beautiful, it really touches so many emotional chords. Sometimes it just takes a step or two outside of your norm to find a true gem, and this is a diamond. My heart will be requesting this one for a long, long time...