Kris Tidjan - Small Axes
Description
Introducing Kris Tidjan’s debut album, “Small Axes”! This soul-jazz and Afro-beat infused LP takes listeners on a journey through Tidjan’s Martinique heritage and contemporary broken beat and jazz influences from Philly to Detroit. The artist’s unique and unorthodox approach to writing will transport you to a world of peacefulness and aerial feeling, leaving you relishing a re-listen to the album.
From the opening track, “Dazzling Ribbon,” we are moved through a colorful world where we discover a passage to become an etheric substance. The album continues with “Incarnated,” a powerful wake-up call that draws attention to the non-sense of perpetual oppression endured by melanated bodies. “Little Giant” explores the growth and evolution of children in urban environments, while “Lords of War” was inspired by a statement made by George Bush Senior in 1990.
“KATIOPA” is a standout track on the album, a product of Tidjan’s 2005 collaboration with his cousin Jeremie Ornem and the label “APOLLOJAZZ”. This track, like the entire album, features the talents of a diverse group of musicians including Mauro Pandolfino, Stefan Mercurio, Alain Rosine, Zoran Terzic, Scabolcs Bognar, Regis Molino, Thierry Banaré, Guido Ott, Michael Love and Simone Lagrand.
Tidjan is heavily influenced by the renaissance of black music, where music and message often came packaged together. Artists like Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra, Ohio Player, Mulatu Astatke, Oneness of Juju, Maalem Mahmoud Ghania, Al Green were all examples of how message and music can combine to change the status quo. These sounds have all combined in Kris Tidjan’s mind to inform the music he makes today.
Tidjan’s music demonstrates a revival of a renaissance period, deeply informed by the sounds of artists such as Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Sun Ra, and Al Green, out of a sense of ancestral healing and expression.
He says: “I named my album “Small Axes” as an homage to Robert Nesta Marley. The message of unity in Marley’s music inspired me, and I believe that the power of togetherness should be promoted and embraced by all individuals and groups. I referenced Bob Marley in the first single “Lords of War” as a way to further pay homage to his message of unity and to encourage people to come together to achieve great things.”
“Small Axes” is a powerful debut album that showcases Tidjan’s unique and unorthodox approach to music. Don’t miss out on this soul-jazz and Afro-beat infused journey, get your copy of “Small Axes” today!
Format: Digital
Release Date: May 26th, 2023