It’s a very different Ineza sound this time around. It’s less vintage, smoother but still keeping it real given the quality of the lyrics and persuasive voice.
First recall Women’s Words, Sisters’ Stories issued last year.
The Rwanda born Londoner’s album title Ibuka means “Remember” in the Bantu language of her homeland.
She says: “Ibuka is a love note to my adoptive mother, Francine Declercq, whom I loved very much – a meditation on memory, heritage, and the echoes of yesterdays.”
The closing track, ‘Kwibuka,’ was written in remembrance of the 1994 genocide after she was invited to contribute to the 2024 commemoration.
Highlights among the instrumentalist contributions include a stirring bass solo on ‘Song For My Mother’ played by Ben Crane.
Last year I liked Tutu Puoane’s Wrapped in Rhythm and I find some things in common here although Ineza’s voice is less robust and more singer-songwriter like in texture. But certainly the raw honesty of the lyrics and an equally empathetic jazz setting on both albums applies although the upcoming Ineza album makes extensive use as saxophone as a first responder to her vocal lines whereas the Puoane album was more about voice and piano.
Personnel include the Grover Washington Jr-like Michael Lack on alto sax, Rob Brockway (piano), Ben Crane (double bass) and Kuba Miazga (drums).
Brockway reminds me of the style of Chip Crawford on some Gregory Porter albums operating in a corresponding role. And Ibuka should appeal to anyone into Porter and singers like Zara McFarlane and Juliet Kelly.
- Dates coming up include the Buxton International Festival tonight.
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