| Abstract Word | ||
Abstract Word-
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Article taken from VIBE Magazine Realising, visualising, trippin' on the light fantastic. Open up your mind to find word and sound rebound, reasoning made clear... It is really strange what you can find hidden away in the alleyways and back streets of London. Most small streets off the established beaten Jazz tracks are usually inhabited by city litter and those poor unfortunates who have no place to go. However, just sometimes a treasure trove lies hidden away, waiting to be found. On Thursday 4th May, it was to my great and pleasant surprise to find Abstract Word presented in such a curious cohabitation. Thus, hidden away in Denmark Place, in the shadow's of London's very own "Tin Pan Alley", is a listed building which has become home to the 12 Bar Club. Now it would seem that under normal circumstances the only people to frequent this bar are either Country folk, or Folk folk. But on this particular night a cool and up and coming breeze came home to raise the credibility of a blues bar that hosts little Blues; what a breath of fresh air indeed! Abstract Word were thus presented in an intimate venue that brought their audience into an almost sensual relationship with their often haunting melodies. The eerie thing though, was the ever present feeling of being carried away by the beautifully soft and dulcet tones of Ife Piankhi. The lyrics contained in their "speak say" blend of verse and melody culture that has long since been sanitised by a European ethos. So impressed was I by the class of their arrangement that I decided to let you all know just who Abstract Word are. Abstract Word are not just a band, they are a collective, which was brought together by writer/arranger Richmond Trew, during a three year recording period between 1993-95. A period that followed a publishing deal that Richmond took up at MAP Music. The Collective's current line up consists of Michelle Ballantyne (Vocals), Yvette Rochester Duncan (Vocals), Richmond Trew (Saxophone), Sam Campbell (Trumpet), Maurice Louis (Guitar) and Neville Malcome (Bass). One Notable Member is another vocalist Ife Piankhi, who is also one half of the poet duo Amazon currently featured on the compilation album "One Hell of a Storm". All of The Collective, like Richmond, have a solid Jazz foundation, having graduated from the Jazz Workshop circuit. However, despite being established up and coming artists in their own rights, they each bring to The Collective different experiences from other ongoing projects. For example; Neville continues to tour nationally and internationally with the group Izit. Maurice, as well as being a songwriter, is a much sought after guitarist who finds himself working in the company of the likes of Free Spirit and trumpeter Byron Wallen. In fact Sam and Richmond met as members of the horn section for the reggae group Alameen.
Given the background to the members of Abstract Word it is easy to derive the musical credo that binds such multi-talented individuals together in such an impressive arrangement. Indeed, when reflecting upon the evening I was moved by truly phenomenal performance. So charged was I afterwards I gladly pressed my signature to their mailing list. My last word is that this is an extremely gifted collective and will grow to make a notable contribution to the development of the "speaksay" style. Open to all, their message is clear, for any who want to find something meaningful and unpretentious to listen to - Truly music to find yourself to! ...We are coming from the far side, no lies, just truth and honesty. - Abstract Word
WATCH AN INTERVIEW WITH RICHMOND TREW OF ABSTRACT WORD SOME BRIEF STATEMENTS WITH RICHMOND TREW OF ABSTRACT WORD For more information about Abstract word | |
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