ALBUM REVIEW: Godwin Louis Compels in Psalms & Proverbs
Our spotlight is on Godwin Louis's compelling sophomore album "Psalms and Proverbs." We will detail its tracks and discuss the impressive organ piece, showcasing its intensity and the deep thoughts evoked by his musical influences.
By Oyiza Adaba, New York
Album Cover: Godwin Louis’ “Psalms and Proverbs”.
Our spotlight is on Godwin Louis's compelling sophomore album "Psalms and Proverbs," where we will take the time to break down its various tracks in detail. We will engage in a thoughtful discussion about the impressive organ masterpiece featured in the collection, highlighting its profound intensity and the deep thoughts his musical influences evoke throughout the listening experience.
ALBUM REVIEW
Based on my deep and attentive listening of Godwin Louis's album "Psalms and Proverbs,” I can confidently conclude that the diverse musical influences found throughout the album, as well as the various artistic collaborations featured within it, are intricately woven into the overall theme and message that the artist is trying to convey.
African and Haitian influences: Several tracks prominently feature traditional African and Haitian beats, rhythms, and distinctive instrumentation. This musical choice not only reflects Godwin Louis's own roots but also highlights the album's strong connection to his rich cultural heritage and experiences, particularly through his collaborative work with artists in Togo.
Meditative and prayerful elements: The organ opening of “Pwoblem Yo” (track 4) serves as convincing evidence of his deep church upbringing, while other tracks such as "Psalm 121" and the various sections of "Psalm 23" offer a meditative and prayerful quality. . This suggests a pervasive spiritual and reflective theme that resonates deeply throughout the entire album. The lead single single Showers of Blessings/ Kplolanyuiade brings listeners to the church with an offering a jazzy and joyful melange of sounds inspired by hymns and other religious songs from the Caribbean and West Africa. Personally, it is reminiscent of the depth behind John Coltane’s ‘The Creator has a Masterplan’.
Blending of genres: The album skillfully blends a variety of genres, seamlessly incorporating elements of jazz, blues, rock, and carnival-like sounds. This rich diversity reflects the album's broad appeal and its ability to reach a wide range of listeners from different musical backgrounds, whether they are fans of jazz, gospel, Latino, African music, or world music.
New York influence: Tracks 11 and 12 distinctly highlight the album's connection to the vibrant New York jazz scene, thereby adding yet another significant layer of cultural influence. One cannot help but notice Godwin's upbringing in Harlem resonating prominently throughout the journey of “Psalms and Proverbs.”
Band Group photo (photo credit Blue Room Music)
The album features Louis on alto and soprano saxophone, Billy Buss on trumpet and flugelhorn, pianist Axel Tosca, organist Johnny Mercier, drummer Obed Calvaire, percussionist Markus Schwartz, bassist Hogyu Hwang and Trinidad-born trumpet star Etienne Charles.
Overall, I would assert that the diverse musical influences displayed by Godwin Louis in "Psalms and Proverbs" significantly contribute to a rich and multifaceted album that genuinely celebrates the artist's cultural heritage, spiritual journey, and impressive artistic versatility. Ultimately, this creative work serves to uplift and bless the listener in meaningful ways, as I experienced it.
About the artist
The Grammy-nominated Godwin Louis (pronounced god-win lou-ee) is a celebrated saxophonist and composer. He was born in Harlem, New York to Haitian parents and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut and in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He is a professor at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston and also teaches at the summer music camps of the Connecticut jazz nonprofit Back Country Jazz. “Psalms and Proverbs” is Louis’s follow-up to his debut “Global”, released in 2019. The album is available internationally through the Blue Room Music label
MESSENGERS S4
Discover Godwin Louis in Season 4 of our TV series MESSENGERS, arriving in early 2025. Subscribe to @africarelatedinc for updates.
AUG. 21: Jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis To Perform New Album at the Newark Public Library
Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library.
Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Godwin Louis is headed to Newark for his album release celebration on Wednesday, August 21, for two concerts that are part of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series.
Louis’s sophomore album Psalms and Proverbs on Blue Room Music, a jazzy deep dive into religious traditions across the world, is being released globally on Friday, August 23. The concerts, which are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library (where they will be held), will take place at 4:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.
Born in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in the Port-au-Prince and Bridgeport, Connecticut, Louis was a saxophone protégé. Then came his meteoric rise to stages across the globe, with studies or performances with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Billy Preston, Patti LaBelle, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Barry Harris, Howard Shore, Mulatu Astatke, Wynton Marsalis and more. In addition to being a top performer, he is also an assistant professor at the Berklee College of Music and at the forefront of bringing music education to Haiti and Africa as a music ambassador and humanitarian.
GODWIN LOUIS TO HEADLINE WBGO AFTER WORK JAZZ SERIES CONCERT
The August 21 event celebrates the international release of the Grammy nominee’s sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, on Blue Room Music
NEW YORK (August 12, 2024) — Grammy-nominated saxophonist Godwin Louis heads to Newark for the next installment of the WBGO After Work Jazz Series, part of the powerhouse jazz station’s 45th anniversary celebration. Louis will perform two concerts on Wednesday, August 21 — at 4:45 p.m. and at 6:15 p.m. — in the courtyard of the Newark Main Library. The appearance also marks the release of Louis’ sophomore album, Psalms and Proverbs, an exploration of the universality and joy of sacred music available internationally on August 23 on the Blue Room Music label. The concerts are made possible with the support of Audible and the Newark Public Library.
Born into a musical family in Harlem of Haitian heritage and raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Louis has gone on to grace stages across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. A favorite in New York, Boston and beyond, Louis is a composer-arranger-virtuoso soloist who began as a saxophone prodigy at nine, becoming a Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Saxophone competition finalist. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance, Louis has studied and performed with the likes of Herbie Hancock, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Al Foster, Toni Braxton, Prince, Babyface, Madonna, Wynton Marsalis and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. He is a 2024 Grammy nominee (for arrangements on singer Cécile McLorin Salvant's Mélusine) and a professor at Berklee College of Music.
He is also a humanitarian and businessman, having founded Experience Ayiti, a nonprofit educational, multidisciplinary arts organization in Haiti and The Godwin Louis Rooftop Club in Togo, which is dedicated to performances and educational programs that promote music education in Africa.
Band Group photo. Photo credit Blue Room Music
In Psalms and Proverbs, Louis draws on religious musical traditions around the world, including his Haitian roots — Haiti being where European, African and Native traditions converged to create the roots of jazz. The album showcases Godwin’s unique originality, deeply rooted in spirituals and gospel hymns, blending sophisticated harmonies, memorable melodies and infectious grooves. His music embodies the diverse sounds of the Afro-diaspora, incorporating elements from West Africa, Haiti, the Americas and Europe. The result is a harmonious tapestry that spans continents.
Performing will be Louis (saxophone); Philip Dizack (trumpet); Axel Tosca Laugart (piano); Johnny Mercier (organ); Savannah Harris (drums); and Or Baréquette (bass).“I’m looking forward to being a part of WBGO’s After Work Jazz Series and bringing praise to the people of Newark,” said Louis. “Let’s have church.”
Psalms and Proverbs is produced by Louis, Calvaire and Chan Jung.
The event at the Newark Public Library (5 Washington Street, Newark, NJ 07102) is free and open to the public with registration via Eventbrite. In the event of inclement weather, the event will happen indoors, in the Library.
6Psalms and Proverbs can be preordered now at https://orcd.co/godwinlouis or on August 23 at Spotify, iTunes, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon and more. For more information on Louis, visit https://www.godwinlouis.com.
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