Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Five: In the Garden

Label: Constellation Records, 2023

Personnel - Matana Roberts: horns, percussion, harmonicas, wordspeak, composition; Darius Jones: alto saxophone, voice; Matt Lavelle: alto clarinet, pocket trumpet; Stuart Bogie: bass clarinet, clarinet, vocal; Mazz Swift: violin, vocal; Cory Smythe: piano, vocal; Kyp Malone: synths; Mike Pride: drums, percussion; Ryan Sawyer: drums, percussion; jaimie branch (courage 1983-2022).

The fifth installment of the Coin Coin project by Chicago-born saxophonist, composer, artist and activist Matana Roberts has arrived, offering a poetic declaration of freedom in them unique, signature style. This time, the theme of abortion weaves through the tracks with open-ended musicality and forward-thinking beliefs. The recording resounds with a powerful slogan that repeats throughout, brimming with newfound urgency: "my name is your name; our name is their name; we are named; we remember, they forgot”.

Surrounded by a new cast of like-minded musicians, Roberts employs an intelligent combination of sounds and words to tell the story of a woman in her ancestral line who tragically passed away due to complications from an illegal abortion. Civil rights are addressed in a record dedicated to the influential late cultural critic Greg Tate. 

The album comes out of the gate with “We Said”, featuring shamanic metallic percussion combined with layers of elongated saxophone that contribute to a dense drone. The marching drums carries clarion tin whistles in a folkloric liberation reminiscent of The Art Ensemble of Chicago. The music complements the words, particularly on “Unbeknownst”, which feels like a work song with violin and clarinet playing cyclic figures over a taut rhythm. 

Two standout pieces, “Predestined Confessions” and “Shake My Bones”, showcase exhilarating saxophone exchanges between Roberts on tenor and Darius Jones on alto. The former piece is a modal weep turned cacophonous spectacle with multiphonics at some point, while the latter is fleshed out with motivic insights, transitioning through a swing feel forged with with a three-time pulse before concluding in a celebratory and revolutionary turbulence.

Sometimes cathartic, sometimes quiet, the music is always confrontational, refusing concessions to ensure the message resonates widely and deeply. Observe how the instruments freely cut through the rhythms on “Different Rings”, creating a a dramatic clamor. Feel the relentless rock-tinged pulse driving “How Prophetic”, accompanied by elated riffs, or how the harmonious vocal alignment on “But I Never Heard a Sound So Loud”, a traditional African-American lullaby. Darker, distorted soundscapes are found on “No Way Chastened” as a result of Mazz Swift’s smoggy violin and Cory Smythe’s deep harmonic clouds.

Regardless on how different these pieces may sound, they undeniably bear Roberts' creative signature. Them invocations can be mystic, experimental, modern free jazz blasts, or simple structures with cyclic synth sequences, but they always seek truth and justice. It’s a significant artistic endeavor.

Favorite Tracks:
03 - Unbeknownst ► 04 - Predestined Confessions ► 12 - Shake My Bones


Matana Roberts - Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis

Label: Constellation Records, 2019

Personnel - Matana Roberts: alto saxophone, clarinet, spoken word, vocals; Hannah Marcus: guitars, fiddle, accordion; Sam Shalabi: electric guitar, oud; Nicolas Caloia: bass; Ryan Sawyer: drumset, vibraphone, jaw harp, bells + guests - Steve Swell: trombone; Ryan White: vibraphone.

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The originality of saxophonist/composer Matana Roberts is on display in the fourth chapter of her work-in-progress Coin Coin project, a musical exploration of history, memory and ancestry. Memphis is a fierce manifesto delivered with true vision and spiritual force; a voyage through time into the mystical American roots, where invocations of African spirituals, the blues, gospel hymns, and folk music, are essential elements of contemporary experimentations grounded in the avant-garde and free jazz genres.

After the solo effort that was chapter three, this new installment features a distinguished cast of musicians that project a lot of direct passion and energy into our hearts, including new polyvalent collaborators Hanna Marcus (guitars, fiddle and accordion) and Ryan Sawyer (drums, vibraphone, jaw harp, bells). Explorative guitarist/oud player Sam Shalabi and double bassist Nicolas Caloia, both hailing from Montreal, round out a powerful core quintet that is sporadically augmented with special guests.

The opening number, “Jewels of the Sky: Inscription”, sets the tone with deep, meditative chants and illuminated sax prayers stepping on a tortuous road opened by distorted guitars. A frantic snare drum makes “As Far As Eyes Can See” bubble for a bit while surrounded by guttural horn pleads and exclamations. Ephemeral, this section quickly dissolves into another mantric pulse led by the jaw harp. Matana’s spoken word is so powerful here, metaphorically related to segregation.

Trail of the Smiling Sphinx” includes snippets of old folk tunes, namely, “Paddy On the Turnpike” and “Cold Frosty Morning”. The pace changes via effortless transitions and the textural aesthetics includes the pungent brassy romps of guest trombonist Steve Swell in addition to a thrumming guitar and riffing sax. That’s before Marcus’ fiddle suggests an animated, quasi-cacophonous dance. By the end, Matana’s words return in the company of those recurring droning sounds.

Initially disjointed by consecutive melodic fragments, “Piddling” finds a secure path to thrive in the synchronous movements that arrive next, while “Wild Fire Bare” burns in intensity with free sax romps, eccentric electric guitar chops, and natural folk melodies forming arcs of timbres that vibrate in mesmeric motion. Nothing dampens its punch.

A state-of-the-art identity is passed to the melodies of popular American songs. Hence, an untangled arrangement of W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues” is offered on “Fit To Be Tied”, yet its premise sounds like a slow mournful fanfare. “Her Mighty Waters Run”, a beautiful reading of “Roll the Old Chariot Along” features an impeccable vocal arrangement carried with the help of singers Thierry Amar, Nadia Moss, and Jessica Moss. In the same way, the relentless “How Bright They Shine” includes an arrangement of Pee Wee King’s “Tennessee Waltz”. Apart from all this, the encouraging punk rock vocal intonations of “Raise Yourself Up” are exalted by folksy motivic lines and pushed forth by Sawyer’s engrossingly marching drum work.

Thoroughly narrated, revolutionary and liberating, this album speaks for itself, showcasing Matana at her highest level of creativity. In short: an essential listening. 

Grade A+

Grade A+

Favorite Tracks:
02 - As Far As Eyes Can See ► 06 - Wild Fire Bare ► 11 - Raise Yourself Up