Duality
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
The Lebanese-Canadian artist Sanah Kadoura is a women of many talents, and she brings her drumming, composing, and vocal skills to these 9 tracks that benefit from many guests for the infectious jazz fusion formula.
“The Gemini’s” gets the listen off to a warm start, where Rachel Therrien’s flugelhorn, Jonathan Micheal’s upright bass and playful scatting from Joanna Majoko and Parham Haghighi complement Kadoura’s drumming acrobatics, and “The Seer, The Soarer” follows with Stacy Dillard’s bright soprano sax helping make for a very soulful and melodic album highlight.
In the middle, the bouncy keys from Michael King and Michel’s electric bass help illuminate the swift drumming of “Hidden Realities”, while “When It’s Time” lands in more intimate areas that recruit the dreamy brass, graceful keys and moody drums.
“Zaytoon” arrives close to the end, and is populated by Virginia MacDonald’s unpredictable clarinet prowess and Therrien’s animated trumpet, and “Rise” exits with the twinkling piano and Majoko’s gorgeous singing amid Flavio Silva’s agile guitar and, of course, Kadoura’s meticulous drums.
A listen that balances light and dark gestures, Kadoura’s vision blends neo-soul and modern jazz with incredible attention to detail and inventive playing that makes for a cultured and very sophisticated experience.
Travels well with: Vince Ector Organatomy Trio +- Live @ The Side Door; Septology- The Black Sessions