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 Thursday, 18 March 2010 |
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Word-Beat: The Soul Dances T&T Music |
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Written by Carmel DeSoto
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Sunday, 23 April 2006 |
Regardless if life on this planet started with a big bang or in one
hundred and forty four hours, the human condition has always allowed
for two types of musical expression, vocalizing and beating on things
with the hands. Tom Teasley and Charles Williams continue to
explore and celebrate this human condition with the formation of
Word-Beat.
Word, drawing from a rich heritage of African proverbs,
African-American spirituals and African-American poets, Williams
expresses the human spirit in both song and verse over Teasly’s
colorful underscoring beat, on the drum set and various hand percussion
instruments from around the world.
The sounds contained on their second release, The Soul Dances, are active and
moving as a sensual sweaty dancer on a hot summers evening.
That said, the nine tracks here maintain an underlying sensuality
counteracted by a contemplative positive message. Each track is a
dialogue between polyrhythmic grooves and well-placed pockets of melody
and verse.
 Photo by Sharon Farmer
World music fans will be right at home with Word-Beat’s sound, though
the disc is easily digestible by almost anyone with a pulse and
ears. The major reason for this is the infectious
grooves. Teasley’s drumming is world class, with a pulse
and momentum that is subtle, but with a forward moving current of a
swiftly moving mountain stream.
The production and flow the CD is very enjoyable. The changing
instrumentation from song to song gives a nice variety and flow of
sounds and textures. The styles of the songs are varied and ear
catching. The overall imagery of the project is that of an exotic
sensual preacher, sexy but not trashy.
Word-Beats sophomore effort, The
Soul Dances, adds nicely to the world music library or someone
wanting to get sounds that are a little more exotic in the music mix,
there is something for everyone here, from thinker to drum head, to
explorer. Excellent!!
Tom and Charles will be appearing live on Saturday, May 27, 2006,
8pm at the THEARC, Located at 1901 Mississippi Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20020 Telephone Numbers are; 202 610 2036 or 202 686
8000, ext. 1201.
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