Douyé: The Golden Sèkèrè | Vienna Live with Simeon Morrow – Weekly interactive Show
“The Golden Sèkèrè is an invitation into Douyé’s unique world where jazz meets African music. A journey that is well worth taking, whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a casual listener. Her ability to seamlessly blend these two musical worlds while bringing her emotive vocal talents to the forefront is mesmerizing. Douyé has genuinely created something special with The Golden Sèkèrè. An album that demands to be heard and definitely savored”
R & B singer Douye fulfills a promise to her late father to become a jazz artist on her new album, DOUYE, which was recently released by Rhombus Records.
The Nigerian-born Douye puts her inimitable vocal style on twelve famous jazz songs by Ellington, Gershwin, Strayhorn, Hammerstein and others, delivering them with scrupulous attention to lyrics and an emotional intensity that is quite remarkable. The emphasis is on ballads, though there are three uptempo tunes that fly high and fast (“All the Things You Are,” “Autumn Leaves” and “Summertime”).
Douye is backed up by several different teams of musicians, all of them first-rate.
On “Round Midnight,” for example, she fronts a quartet comprised of Roy McCurdy (drums), John Clayton (bass), Bob Sheppard (horns) and John Beasely (piano). Beasely also produced and arranged the tune. On “Autumn Leaves” an 18-piece studio band led by Angelo Metz does the honors. Metz not only conducted but did the arrangements and played guitar as well.
Douye (pronounced Doe-Yay) has made an impressive jazz debut here, one that would have made her jazz-loving father proud. – Willard Manus – www.lively-art.com
This music fan’s passionate love affair with Jazz music began with an album of torch songs delivered by the incomparable vocal songstress who is said to have hailed from Philadelphia, PA , but is affectionately claimed and embraced by Baltimore,MD. It is wonderful to note that, after listening to Douyé’s new album release entitled “Daddy Said So”, the passion of love for the genre remains solid and unabated.
It requires great artistic courage to present compositions and song interpretations which have enjoyed the benefit of innumerable renditions. Douyé uses sensitivity, sincerity, and respect for the genre and it’s pioneers to present fresh excellent versions of familiar jazz catalog classics; without a hint of recycling, copying, or repetitive rehashing.
“Mood Indigo” is well known; it has been heard, only…Douyé’s style of interpretation is original.
“Round Midnight” highlights a torch song styling, augmented with a sensual smoky vocal texture, and accentuated with a presence imbued with articulative clarity and precision.
“Body and Soul” engendered memories of Billie Holiday’s succulent phrasing and excellent song concluding skills;
while “All The Things You Are” spotlights the singer’s wonderful tone and pitch combination of song presentation style.
The musicians are excellent! The musical arrangements are outstanding, as displayed in “Autumn Leaves”.
This song has a delectable jazzy bossa nova treatment and a scintillating flute solo. “Summertime” has a very pleasant introduction with bongos, bass, and voice. It includes an interesting tempo and ensemble arrangement with an exciting delivery.
Douyé artfully self competes with the quality of her work on this third artist recording, by reinventing “Nature Boy” to the pleasurable amazement of Nat “King” Cole fans.
This unique arrangement of upright bass and voice is the creation of Ron Carter; a Guinness Book World Record recipient as the most recorded bassist in history. This interesting performance is music art at its best! To this fan’s ear and memory, “Nature Boy” has never been presented or heard like this. Douyé and Ron Carter deliver a formidably interesting rendition.
Douyé’s “Daddy Said So” is totally different in form, substance, and style, when compared to her two previous releases.
She displays an awe inspired respect and appreciation for the work and artistic contribution of the great musical geniuses of yesteryear; while she infuses the collection with courage and contemporary vitality when reintroducing well known and popular standards from the great American Jazz Music catalog.
The release of “Daddy Said So” by Douyé,
shows artistic growth, dedication, versatility, sincere appreciation of the genre’s masterful contributors, and successful accomplishment. Oh…and the product package presentation is a colorful and fashionable delight! It is good and fortuitously beneficial that Douye’ took heed when “Daddy Said So”. – Monty Guy
Gorgeous set of old standards by this Nigerian singer with a unique voice and turn of phrase.
Every arrangement is augmented by a select combination of some of the best players currently on the scene. And check out the booklet : she has a different stunning outfit for each track! if You Like: Sarah Vaughn. Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nina Simone – Tom McCarter
Reviews
https://www.allaboutjazz.com/
the-golden-sekere-douye- rhombus-records “One way to approach The Golden Sèkèrè is as a study in context. It would probably be fair to say that this is one of those albums in which the angels are in the details. Douyé delivers consistently solid accounts of tunes likely to be familiar to most, if not all, listeners. However, each track has its own domain of subtle approaches to accompaniment. I have found that, over the course of several listenings, I keep discovering new instances of those subtleties; and that goes right to the heart of the sort of “serious listening” that I relish!” BY STEPHEN SMOLIAR
https://therehearsalstudio.
blogspot.com/2023/07/a- nigerian-take-on-great- american.html “Los Angeles vocalist Douyé releases her fifth recording with The Golden Sèkèrè, her second collection of jazz standards after her well-received 2017 release Daddy Said So (Rhombus Records, 2017). Douyé also released a terrifically straight-ahead disc in Bossa Nova Deluxe (Rhombus Records, 2019). Returning to jazz standards, The Golden Sèkèrè is not merely a continuation of the high-functioning Daddy Said So. It is the first significant change in the stylistic approach to jazz standards in 30 years.” By C. MICHAEL BAILEY
https://www.wildmercuryrhythm.
com/p/douye-the-golden-seker “10 Albums You Need to Know: July 2023”
“From captivating compositions to virtuosic performances, these releases encompass a wide range of styles and showcase the creativity and artistry of today’s jazz musicians. Here is our curated selection of ten new jazz albums released this month (July 2023) that you need to know about! – The Golden Sèkèrè”
https://www.jazziz.com/10-
albums-you-need-to-know-july- 2023/ “This album is a repetition of familiar tunes but a reinvention – a bold blend of Western jazz lyricism and the polyrhythmic richness of her African heritage. This is a tribute to the spirit of jazz, from the syncopated heartbeats of African drums to the silky stylings of the West. This is a world jazz album with a poignant journey from the heart of Nigeria to the jazz-infused streets of America, narrated through the transformative power of music by our transcultural host Douyé.”
https://thejazzword.com/2023/
07/douye-the-golden-sekere- review/ “Nigerian-born vocalist Douye’ does an excellent job bridging the gap between jazz and African sounds on this album of standards, presented through the lens of Africa’s horn.”
https://www.jazzweekly.com/
2023/07/douye-the-golden- sekere/ “Often an album of standards performed by the best vocal talent can sound predictable. Enter the extraordinary Lagos, Nigeria-born, Los Angeles-based jazz vocalist Douyé who breathes new life into the tried-and-true standards on The Golden Sèkèrè—her fifth album named after the beaded percussion instrument unique to her homeland.”
https://www.jazz24.org/2023/
07/vocalist-douye-breathes- new-life-into-standards-on- the-golden-sekere/ “Nigerian-born, L.A.-based jazz vocalist Douyé puts a completely refreshing spin on the Great American Songbook on The Golden Sèkèrè, her fifth album named after the beaded Nigerian percussion instrument. Blending her African heritage with these well-known songs introduces a unique soundscape that in essence makes these familiar songs sound new. The blending concept exceeds expectations, making Douyé’s venture one of this year’s more compelling vocal albums.”
By, Jim Hynes https://www.makingascene.org/
douye-the-golden-sekere/ “Cover versions of the Great American Songbook appear regularly, many simply repetitions, adding little. Here the Lagos-born, Los Angeles-based singer Douyé uses an assortment of musicians in various combinations to successfully blend classic songs with her Nigerian roots. An enjoyable album which combines the traditions and on which the singer’s feeling for the lyrics shines through.”
https://jazzjournal.co.uk/
2023/09/23/douye-the-golden- sekere/ “She blends her polyrhythmic African heritage with the musicality of Western jazz to create a collection of fourteen songs of sublime beauty and percussive festivity. It stands out as a special source of creative innovation. With each album, Douyé establishes herself among the greatest artists of her generation. Thanks to this album, it is almost certain that everyone, from Bayou Blue Radio to Paris-Move and even Downbeat magazine, will agree that a star is born.” By, Thierry De Clemensat. https://www.paris-move.com/
reviews/douye-the-golden- sekere-eng-review/ “The Golden Sèkèrè is a collection of songs where Douyé beautifully marries her African musical lineage with the technical mastery required for jazz standards. Douyé infuse each note, each phrase, and each song with a unique character. It’s a reminder of the evocative power of the human voice, replete with all its microtonal inflections, dynamic nuances, and emotive possibilities. This is an aural journey across continents, genres, and emotions that reverberates through diverse musical landscapes.”
https://5fingerreview.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review/ “The songs on this album by vocalist Douyé are much better known than she is. But one listen to her renditions of Cherokee, Speak Low, My Funny Valentine and more will prompt repeated listens.”
https://culturalattache.co/
2023/07/21/new-in-music-this- week-july-21st/ “The Golden Sekere” exudes a sense of empowerment and liberation, with Douye’s powerful vocals and uplifting messages inspiring listeners to break free from societal constraints and embrace their true selves. Through anthems of self-empowerment, she ignites a fire within her audience, encouraging them to rise above adversity and embrace their inherent strength.”
https://boizquarters.com.ng/
douye-to-release-new-project- the-golden-sekere “The heart of The Golden Sèkèrè lies in its innovative fusion of jazz and African polyrhythms. Douyé’s smoky vocals gracefully sail across complex, rich arrangements while the sèkèrè, a traditional Nigerian percussion instrument, sets the rhythm. Using this instrument and other percussion instruments adds authenticity, helping the album stand out and tying it back to Douyé’s African roots and her unique vocal sound and approach.”
https://allaboutvocals.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review “Douyé’s sound is characterized by a balance of her Nigerian roots and an unabashed embrace of jazz. Her voice, always at the forefront, soars over arrangements that are carefully crafted to never crowd or take away from her beautiful vocal lines or tone. While the rhythmic foundation of the music is steeped in the traditional music of Nigeria, the jazz sensibility in her phrasing and time feel ensures that this album will resonate with both jazz lovers and those with a love for African music.”
https://allaboutvocals.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review/ “Douyé’s vocal skill is evident throughout The Golden Sèkèrè. Her delivery is distinct, her tone warm and engaging. She knows how to make a song her own, no matter the origin, and her fusion of styles results in something entirely unique and deeply personal. It’s this blend of tradition and innovation, this depth of feeling and technical skill, that sets Douyé apart.”
https://allaboutvocals.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review/ “In conclusion, The Golden Sèkèrè is an invitation into Douyé’s unique world where jazz meets African music. A journey that is well worth taking, whether you’re a jazz aficionado or a casual listener. Her ability to seamlessly blend these two musical worlds while bringing her emotive vocal talents to the forefront is mesmerizing. Douyé has genuinely created something special with The Golden Sèkèrè. An album that demands to be heard and definitely savored.”
https://allaboutvocals.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review/ “Douyé has genuinely created something special with The Golden Sèkèrè. An album that demands to be heard and definitely savored.”
https://allaboutvocals.com/
douye-the-golden-sekere- review “Giving new life to songs like ‘My Funny Valentine’, ‘Afro Blue’, ‘I’m Confessing That I Love You’, ‘Devil May Care’, ‘Cherokee’ and ‘Speak Low’, among others, is not easy, but Douyé has succeeded, so much so that her album can be listened to several times and it always seems different or, suddenly, some songs take on another life.”
“With this album Douyé, who has a vocal tone reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan, becomes one of my favorite female jazz singers and ‘The Golden Sèkèrè’ one of the best vocal jazz albums of the Year of Grace 2023.”
http://www.distritojazz.com/
discos-jazz/douye-the-golden- sekere “Sometimes you can’t hear them anymore, the jazz standards. And then comes a singer like the Nigerian-born American singer Douyé and breathes new life into them in spectacular new life to them in a spectacular her fifth album “The Golden Sékéré” (Rhombus Records/import) works like a mixture of Fela Kuti and Frank Sinatra.” By Rolf Thomas – FAZ.NET
“A powerful album from the transcultural singer, intelligent, funny and danceable.”
https://www.jazzthing.de/
review/douye-the-golden- sekere/ “Here is a review in the New Jersey Jazz Society by Joseph Lang that will appear on their website. I will pass the link your way when it goes live, but here is the text.
The Golden Sèkèrè (Rhombus – 7550) is a fascinating collection of standards by Douyé, a Nigerian-born vocalist who now resides in Los Angeles. Her vocalizing is straight-ahead with jazz influences, but the charts reflect the rhythms of her native country. She has a warm voice and a fine feeling for the lyrics.” By Joseph Lang – The New Jersey Jazz Society
“The unique takes on the standards – many of which incorporate musical elements from her native Nigeria – give the songs identities that stand out among the so many other covers that are out there. All three of the songs examined here serve well to exhibit the various approaches she has taken to the songs. When they are considered with the other covers – such as the uniquely funk-infused take of ‘It Don’t Mean A Thing,’ the World music-infused take of ‘Cherokee’ and the very subdued take of The Very Thought of You’ – the whole makes the record’s overall presentation quite the unique presentation that holds its own well among this year’s current crop of covers compilations.”
“This is a vocalist who sings in her alto voice and caresses each note within that rich, lower register with power and confidence. I’m totally impressed by her bandmates, even though the players change, song to song. Listing them above reads like an orchestra.” By Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs.
