Search - Sam Newsome :: Sam Newsome & Global Unity

Better known as possessor of a brawny tenor sax sound that has graced several freelance situations and most notably the bandstand of Terence Blanchard, Sam Newsome sticks with the soprano on his new group's debut. The straight horn does indeed serve the music of Global Unity, quite well. The focus here is on ethnic elements from diverse cultures, notably the Middle and Far East. In addition to Newsome's insistent, low-boiling soprano, his group's core includes vocalist Elizabeth Kontomanou, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, Amos Hoffman on oud, and percussionist Gilad. Global Unity achieve an organic, spare soundscape that is reminiscent of percussionist Leon Parker's exploits, though Newsome spans the globe a bit wider. So it's little surprise that among Sam's guests are Parker and his percussionist Natalie Cushman, not to mention bassist Okegwo, a frequent Parker collaborator. An auspicious debut, this recording widens jazz's focus successfully. --Willard Jenkins