Search - Jhelisa :: Primitive Guide to Being There (W/Dvd)

Travelling, rebirth and the resilience of the human spirit..

mondo | LA, CA | 07/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""A Primitive Guide To 'Being There'" is an album that bubbles with restlessness even if it is sometimes restrained. This affair is not just a downtempo one as "live" instruments really play a full part in most of the mix. The album opener "Freedom's Land" immediately reveals her stance and it's no coincidence that a Civil Rights song would be at it's core. Other numbers shift tempos and unfold within their duration. The slow bass swagger of "Culture of Silence" may hint at complacency but ultimately explodes in a vocal cry for resolution in double time tempo hinting at brokenbeat rhythms. "Far I Have Come" is a majestic proclamation of life which brings to mind acceptance, peace and African sunsets through meditative percussion. Throughout this LP there are nods to House music, Eastern music, Hip Hop, Electronica, Brazilian Batucada, Blues and Folk all topped off with vocal arrangements which blanket the listener in sound. It may sound overindulgent but it's crafted very well in her hands. This rootlessness is what makes each Jhelisa long player so unique. Travelling and utilizing all resources, she's a conduit for genres and cultures she's experienced. While the album is nine tracks long don't let that put you off. There is plenty of substance in the arrangements and her "harmonic designs" to occupy with repeated listens.

NOTE: A limited edition DVD is featured depicting the making of the album, originally titled "The Discovery of Amazing", up to the time they had to evacuate New Orleans. It's a nice companion piece to the album showing collaboration with local musicians and a little bit of New Orleans culture. While evacuating some of the source material for the album was lost thus resulting in a renamed album."