Track of the Week: Jamila Woods ‘SUN RA’ stuns on LEGACY! LEGACY!
May 10th, Jamila Woods returned with LEGACY! LEGACY! a sophomore album where she sharpens and fearlessly delivers the blend of political commentary and personal reflection she introduced us to with debut album HEAVN. Paying homage to black creative activists who came before her, Woods delivers a forward thinking project that draws from influences as disparate as House, Hip Hop and Soul. It’s a stunner and gifted our track of the week, a cut off the album titled SUN RA.
SUN RA is evidently a homage to avant garde afro-futurist jazz composer, Sun Ra. In a statement to the New Yorker, Jamila explains, “What I love about Afrofuturism is calling out the fact that if we’re not seeing ourselves in all these futuristic space movies, that means no one is imagining us making it there.” She goes on, “The hook comes from a line in one of Sun Ra’s poems — ‘My wings are greater than walls’ — which speaks to our imagination. Imagination, really, for me, is the wings that help me reframe whatever wall or whatever structural element of racism is coming at me. I can imagine a way to create a different reality that helps me survive it.”
A track infused with modern Soul and hints of Hip Hop, Jamila displays a sense of vulnerability which very much resonates throughout. A highlight being the lines, “I’m unstable, heavy star… I’m a bad one baby, I’m a warrior”. Vocally, she illustrates a brilliant range of vocals alongside hard hitting lyrics which leave for a truly all-round vibe.
Production wise, it’s soothing percussion, melodic drum line and heartwarming string sections. They work very well in telling the tale of the track but also taking you on the journey with Jamila Woods. Accompanied by features from theMIND & Jasminefire, this is easily a standout of what is a powerful sophomore album from an artist clearly going from strength to strength.
Festival season is upon us and there’s a brand new festival promising a fresh perspective and ultimate summer party vibes. Whilst the UK festival scene is increasingly genre-agnostic, Cross The Tracks is coming to Brockwell Park, Brixton, Sunday 9 June 2019, with a stunning line-up of the best of the new age and legends of Soul, Jazz and Funk.
Headlined by Chaka Khan, with performances from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Jazzie B of Soul II Soul, Cross The Tracks presents the greatest of throwback feels. Sharing the stage with these legends are some of 2019’s must forward-thinking Soul Music acts, including Masego, Jordan Rakei and Poppy Ajudha.
Have a quick scroll down for all the reasons you don’t want to miss out on your spot on the soul train that is Cross The Tracks.
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