The bridges between jazz and reggae are too many to count. Here is a new one: jazz diva Liz McComb recorded four of the 21 tracks on her new album, "Brassland", in Jamaica.
Jazz, gospel, soul… and reggae: Liz McComb's tenth album embraces a wide musical range.
The diva, originally from Cleveland, went to the greatest studios to hone her compositions and covers of American classics: Studio A in Detroit, Music Shed in New Orleans, Pyramid in New York, Davout in Paris and finally Tuff Gong in Kingston.
On Monty Alexander's advice, Liz McComb indeed set up in Bob Marley's studios, accompanied by Desmond Jones and Dean Fraser (pictured). It was a first for a woman who refused any brass in her band, arguing that "her voice is the brass"!
With her superb mezzo-soprano voice, Liz McComb covers, among others, the standard Rivers of Babylon, by the Melodians. :
The album "Brassland" has been available since 12 November. Liz McComb will tour France in 2014.