Talk about the unexpected, who would have thought that Solange Knowles would be in with a shout for album of the year? Well my good people shit just got real!!
This album fits together with staggering ease and never have interludes felt so relevant on a record. Solange shows the kind of bravery that should inspire a generation of artists to actually speak their truths and bare the pain in their soul without shame or fear of judgement.
Solange, recently turned 30, this being her third studio album, she attacks this record as if she was recording in her room without any kind of creative restrictions.
The album’s title ‘A Seat at the Table’ is very much aimed at the issues faced by black America. This piece of music offers a new voice for the generation. Even in the quieter moments of the album Solange still finds a vigorous rebellious cord.
Exactly a week after its release date of 30 September, its significance is felt like one of those golden moments in music. Solange calls on the likes of Master P, who came to prominence in the late 90’s with his ‘No Limit’ juggernaut record label. P gives us several heartfelt interludes which help to shape the story of this album from a black man’s perspective. This is a celebration of black culture. It’s also unrepentant with uncovering the social bias that exists in America against black & brown people.
It’s easy to forget that Solange kicked off her career in 2003 as a solo artist at sweet 16. Ms Knowles worked with Timberland and the Neptunes on her first album ‘Very’ that same year and naturally was slightly overawed by the incredible production, she still showed chinks of real quality. Solange also kept busy by writing songs and singing backup for others within the industry.
An eventful life which has included having a child (Juelez), getting married, then unfortunately divorced. Solange starred in a few Hollywood flicks (Bring it on: All or Nothing) comes to mind.
Whilst writing for her sister Beyonce has also been fruitful venture judging by her Sister’s extraordinary success. In 2008 she gave us ‘Sol-Angel and Hadley St.Dreams’ , funk and soul of the 60’s dominated the sound of that effort.
Solange gave us her first glimpse of her rebellious nature with track ‘Fuck the Industry’.
Although her quality was evident on her first two albums, who knew that she had a great one up her sleeve? It’s often perceived by those who aren’t black that perhaps there’s an overreaction to the injustices faced by black and brown people in America. This albums goes someway to proving it’s not just paranoia by giving a first-hand account by a women literally singing her truth and making you feel it. Solange also lends us glance into America’s dark past by letting her father Matthew and mother Tina open up in an organic way about the racism they’ve faced during their life time in America.
A delightful piano coats the opening track ‘Rise’ where Solange’s voice controls this jazz infused interlude. Ms Knowles sanctifies the track with lyrics, “fall in your ways, so you can crumble, fall in your ways, so you can wake up and rise.” It’s a beautiful depiction of the whole basic theme of album touching on the central themes of pain, pride, sorrow and fierce indignity.
The Illusory ecstatic ‘Cranes in The Sky’ is what you call a masterpiece as Solange breaks down everything we try to do as humans to beat despair and pain and general depression of life. Ms Knowles name checks: drinking, drugs, sex, running, reading amongst other things in order to beat and be free from those ‘those metal clouds”. The whole-hearted bass backed by an angelic harmony as the song closes. The way Solange brings to life what we all do to try to escape is a joy to behold.
New Iberia, Louisiana, that was where the Knowles family lineage begins. True to her roots Solange does a effortless job of expressing her ancestry. Black history is celebrated in her song arrangements and melodies. During this album you’ll feel the spirits of Janet Jackson (Track: Where do We Go), Lil Mo, Angie Stone, Aaliyah, This is a celebration of the contribution musically of black people.
Soul legend Raphael Saadiq is the master behind the boards as he creates the landscape for Solange’s fine art. Instinctively they find the most salacious middle to meet in a carnival of classic instrumentation and futuristic funk. The measure of a great piece of music is the sheer volume of emotions and angles you can stretch within one song and track after track Solange does that. From chilling to thrilling with one swish of her vocal chords, the girls got mad skills.
‘Mad’ brilliantly extracts the best of a recently quiet Lil Wayne, finding him in the best form he’s been in some time. Solange explains why she’s been so mad and goes about breaking down all the valid reasons for her fury. Ms Knowles sings in her pre hook ‘I ran into this girl, she said,”Why you always blaming?” Why can’t you just face it“.
‘Don’t touch my hair’ is another stand out track that gets right under your skin as Solange cleverly expresses how her soul and spirit can’t be touched or tampered with. It’s beautifully captured as she sings ‘They don’t understand what it means to me, where we chose to go, where we’ve been to know’.
The album closes on a beautiful harmonic note with ‘Scales’ which is a slow burning duet with Kelela. Heavenly harmonies create a meditation state and sooth your soul. This is definitely meant for a cold winter night indoors wrapped up with your loved one and all that good stuff that goes with that setting.
This is Album of the year quality no doubt about it. If you don’t know you soon will.
Pre-order the physical album today:
CD: http://smarturl.it/ASATTcd
Vinyl: http://smarturl.it/ASATTvinyl
To Connect with Solange:
solange knowles (@solangeknowles)
Editor: Adrian Richard
Twitter: datguy35 (@agethemc)
.
