Songs In Flight
Cedille, 2025
9/10
An all star assembly, the work of Shawn E Okpebholo is performed by Rhiannon Giddens, Will Liverman, Reginald Mobley, Karen Slack and the pianist Paul Sánchez across these world premieres.
“Prologue: Oh Freedom” leads with Giddens’ powerful pipes and Sánchez’s stirring keys in the spiritual climate, and “In Flight” follows with graceful keys complementing Liverman’s narration and Slack’s soaring soprano.
Further along, Sánchez’s rumbling keys add much to Liverman’s expressive baritone via “Peter”, while “Ahmaud” is an intimate lullaby thanks to Giddens’ stirring pipes and the gentle piano.
Deeper still, “An Echo, An Ending” welcomes Julian Velasco’s elegant saxophone to the atmospheric album highlight, and “I’m Sure” exits with a heartfelt and emotive presence courtesy of Slack’s inimitable voice and the gorgeous piano.
The soprano, countertenor and baritone voices are used flawlessly, and the piano is exceptional as well, where these timeless recordings shine a light on Okpebholo’s impactful vision that recruits new perspectives on historical stories.
Travels well with: Eighth Blackbird/David Lang- Composition As Explanation; Mary Elizabeth Bowden- Storyteller