{"id":4494,"date":"2022-03-26T20:24:32","date_gmt":"2022-03-26T20:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/?p=4494"},"modified":"2022-03-26T20:25:06","modified_gmt":"2022-03-26T20:25:06","slug":"album-review-the-great-jamaican-songbook-vol-1-cleveland-watkiss-words-sammy-stein","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/2022\/03\/26\/album-review-the-great-jamaican-songbook-vol-1-cleveland-watkiss-words-sammy-stein\/","title":{"rendered":"Album Review: &#8220;The Great Jamaican Songbook, Vol.1&#8221; &#8211; Cleveland Watkiss. Words: Sammy Stein"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-spotify wp-block-embed-spotify wp-embed-aspect-21-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Spotify Embed: The Great Jamaican Songbook, Vol. 1\" style=\"border-radius: 12px\" width=\"100%\" height=\"380\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen allow=\"autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/album\/47iPgd1MLpM7989Qj3grmc?si=FMledikKQle2y2zbTRTc6w&#038;utm_source=oembed\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss\u2019s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>His new album \u2018The Great Jamaican Songbook\u2019 is released, coinciding with a tour (dates below). Watkiss recently won the Ivors Composer Award for Innovation, and his impact is felt across a broad spectrum of genres. Co-founder of the Jazz Warriors Big Band and known for his work with Julian Joseph \u2013 the outstanding pianist I recently saw in concert, Watkiss is both a respected solo artist and a key member of many musical projects, with performances across the UK and internationally.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watkiss became the voice of Goldie\u2019s Metalheadz label nights at The Blue Note and curated residencies at dance events. He also worked alongside US innovative drummer Marque\u2019 Gilmore and DJ La Rouge as a member of the first live drum and bass band, Project 23.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Watkiss has followed a journey that has led him down diverse and interesting musical paths, making him impossible to pigeonhole or box. The Great Jamaican Songbook Vol 1 is a project close to Watkiss\u2019s heart and is a roots-reggae-oriented album with tracks by Gregory Isaacs, Burning Spear, Delroy Brown, and others, detailing the evolution of Jamaican music and culture. Most of the numbers are respectful to their originator and given a unique interpretation, with a spotlight shone on rare gems from the Studio One, Coxsone Dodd, and Tuff Gong labels.<\/p>\n<p>On this album, Watkiss has surrounded himself with exemplars of the UK jazz, pop, reggae, and funk scenes. They include Orphy Robinson MBE (Savanna, Andy Sheppard, Nigel Kennedy, Robert Wyatt, Courtney Pine and many more) on keys; Byron Wallen ( Byron Wallen 4tet, Chaka Khan, Hugh Masekela and more) on trumpet; Ray Carless (Skaaville Allstars, Michael Arkk) on tenor sax; Delroy Murray (Total Contrast, Tongue \u2018n\u2019 Cheek)<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp; <\/span>on bass; Phil Ramocon (Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Gregory Isaacs, Phil Collins and many more) on keys; Alan Nolan Weekes ( Jazz Warriors, Courtney Pine, Maxi Priest, Rico Rodriguez and more) on guitar and Carl Robinson ( Cee Lo Green, Finley Quaye) on drums.<\/p>\n<p>I asked Orphy Robinson how he came to be involved with the project and his thoughts on the music. He told me, \u201cThe idea came about through a conversation with Cleveland. I was bemoaning the fact we were always being asked to do music from The Great American Songbook, especially after I had co-produced with Nigel Kennedy on his \u2018Kennedy Meets Gershwin\u2019(Warner Classics 2018) album. As great as that music is, I thought that Cleveland should be singing the songs of \u2018The Great Jamaican Songbook,\u2019 and I could be celebrating the music of the Jamaican Vibraphone player Lennie Hibbert. We laughed and then realized that it was a really good idea. That led Cleveland to put together this impressive archive of music, and, of course, we had an amazing resource of first-class musicians who shared the love of the music and had similar cultural backgrounds, having grown up around Hackney during the 1960s and 1970s. We are the first generation Windrush, so this music was an important soundtrack to our lives. It\u2019s been sheer joy producing the \u2018Great Jamaican Songbook\u2019 with Cleveland.<\/p>\n<p>The album\u2019s opener is a beautiful working of Gregory Isaac\u2019s \u2018 If I Don\u2019t Have You,\u2019 a number that shows Cleveland Watkiss\u2019s artistry \u2013 not to mention that deep chest timbre he drops down to every so often. The track is respectful to the original yet has a take which is all Watkiss. The sax solo from Ray Carless\u2019s sax is gorgeous, lifting, rising, and sighing across the top, while the guitar of Alan Nolan Weeks and the drums solo from Carl Robinson add textures and layers of sound.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Curly Locks\u2019 is tongue in cheek and tells the story of someone who does not meet with approval because of his dreadlocks, and Curly Lock\u2019s dad no longer wants her to play the boy with dreadlocks. She, however, writes to him and makes him feel better. She has \u2018two roads before her,\u2019 and he wonders what choice she will make. The backing singers sing repeatedly \u2018 my daddy doesn\u2019t want me with a dreadlock man,\u2019 suggesting she made her choice. Watkiss\u2019s take of this Junior Byles number is more upbeat than the original but, again, stays mainly true to the rhythmic arrangement<\/p>\n<p>Dennis Brown\u2019s \u2018Joy In The Morning\u2019 is given a soft, laid back treatment by Watkiss, who delivers this in style before\u2019 \u2018What Is Man\u2019 takes a retro feel complete with Watkiss introducing the music sections and shows us he can skank, scat, riffle and roll with the rhythm and how. His musicians support and roll right with him, creating a oneness that brings the song to a close.<\/p>\n<p>Delroy Wilson\u2019s \u2018Cool Operator\u2019 is smooth as silk and a song of desire; Watkiss does the number proud and delivers rich, sumptuous vocals, underpinned by rhythms that introduce subtle tempo changes and pullbacks on the tempo that maintain interest.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Isaac\u2019s \u2018Babylon Too Rough\u2019 is presented with emotion, and the words can be heard clearly \u2018Them a walk, them a loot, them a shoot, Babylon them a brute, them a walk, them a shoot, them a loot, but we know evil by the root so\u2026.\u2019 There is a glorious trumpet interruption with a slurp of sound dripping in from the brass section while the reggae rhythms remain steadfast. Towards the end, the pattering of the percussion under the vocal lines adds a different take and injects a unique feel to the number.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The Paragons released \u2018Only A Smile\u2019 in 1967, but Watkiss takes the song and gives it an energised, modern twist. The brass section is as tight as a drum on the number, and the vocals are strong. The lyrics are laced with warnings about how a guy will leave the woman, just like the singer did.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u2018Humanity\u2019 bursts into life with its layered arrangement, steadfast rhythm, and delightful percussive lines. The horns triumph in unison, the vocals are superb, and the backing uplifts this track, everything coming together beautifully. Cedric Constantine Congo Myton used to sing \u2018Humanity\u2019 acapella, and it is good to hear the number filled out as it were with harmonies, instrumentation, and well-worked arrangements, which does both the song and the vocal lines justice. Coming from the 1970s when Myton wrote with Lincoln Prince Thompson, recorded by Prince Lincoln and the Royal Rasses, the music has lost nothing over time, and Watkiss again pays the original due respect while making his own interpretation.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span>\u2018Night Nurse\u2019 sees the Isaacs song worked into a strong number \u2018tell her it\u2019s an emergency, there is a patient by the name of Clevie. Night Nurse, only you can quench\u2019 \u2026.\u2019 Oh, the pain is getting worse\u2019\u2026. \u2018she\u2019s the only prescription for me, the only remedy,\u2019 whines the vocalist as he longs for the comfort of his love. There is a gorgeous trumpet solo, and the number is fun and uplifting.<\/p>\n<p>The great Jamaican Song Book\u2019s tribute to Burning Spear\u2019s \u2018Red Gold And Green\u2019 finishes the album in exuberant style, with brilliantly worked rhythms and clear lyrics. The Lion is destined to rule Africa and Burning Spear knows just how to tell a story \u2013 47 years after its recording, the original has lost none of its effect, and this version too is effective with its additional vocal tones and lines.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Listening to the music on this album, you get the sense of the curator trying to encapsulate the development of Jamaican music in just ten tracks \u2013 a considerable feat \u2013 and it makes sense to call this volume 1 because there is so much more to come from this diverse, rich culture. This is just Volume 1, and Volume 2 already feels like it is a must.<span class=\"Apple-converted-space\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Tour details<\/p>\n<p>26 March&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;London, Boisdale Canary Wharf \u2013 album launch&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>6 April&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Taunton, Brewhouse&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>8 April&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Poole, The Lighthouse&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>9 April&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Bristol,&nbsp;Beacon&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>10 April &#8211; Exeter, Phoenix<\/p>\n<p>29 May&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Salisbury International Arts Festival&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>10 June&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama&nbsp;Jazz Festival&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>17 June&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Nocturne &#8211; Live at Blenheim Palace, a reggae day with headliners UB40 featuring&nbsp;Ali Campbell&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>22 September&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;Cambridge Junction&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>30 September &#8211; Ronnie Scott\u2019s Jazz Club, London<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"724\" height=\"734\" src=\"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_46FCEEB4C675-1.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-4495\" srcset=\"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_46FCEEB4C675-1.jpeg 724w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_46FCEEB4C675-1-296x300.jpeg 296w, https:\/\/platinummind.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/IMG_46FCEEB4C675-1-59x60.jpeg 59w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 724px) 100vw, 724px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Multidisciplinary artist Cleveland Watkiss\u2019s energy and drive are behind many music projects, and he has proved inspirational for upcoming talent on the music scene. He has worked with Wynton Marsalis, The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The Dusseldorf Symphony Orchestra, Art Blakey, and countless others.&nbsp; His new album \u2018The Great Jamaican Songbook\u2019 is released, coinciding with a &hellip; <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4495,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,129,52,30,76,198,153,37,142,227,187,73,150,126,154,156],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4494","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bass","category-drums","category-guitar","category-music","category-music-industry","category-music-news","category-percussion","category-piano","category-producer","category-sammy-stein","category-saxophone","category-singer-songwriter","category-songwriter","category-vocals","category-woodwind","category-world-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4494","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4494"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4494\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4497,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4494\/revisions\/4497"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4495"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4494"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4494"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platinummind.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4494"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}