(Vocal Jazz, Modern Jazz) [WEB] Nora McCarthy & The People Of Peace Quintet - blesSINGS - 2016, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Produced by Nora McCarthy and recorded at Tedesco Studio in Paramus, New Jersey on August 26 & 27th, 2015, blesSINGS is a modern jazz record that combines several elements to make its powerfully beautiful statement: original compositions and lyrics; innovative vocal improvisation, poetry, straight ahead jazz, blues, grooves, mixed meters, jazz ballads, free form, and imaginative arrangements.
blesSINGS addresses the overwhelming need for compassion, environmental awareness and understanding in our world today; it is first and foremost a love story that urges us to love one another and ourselves, to be the best we can be, to open our minds and hearts and acknowledge our individual and collective blessings. It is about gaining peace through harmony, liberation through creative expression, reaching for our higher selves and expanding our consciousness, recognizing and holding steadfast our connection to one another (brotherhood), to the earth (our mother) and to our place within the universe (immortality/spirit). It pays homage to the subtle energies that influence creativity, and ultimately give birth to hope and renewal.
The artistry on blesSINGS is stunning; the musicianship throughout is exquisite and the overall sound is reminiscent of the great creative jazz recordings of the ‘60s and ‘70s where the artists used their music as a conduit for spirituality and as a reaction to turbulent events that were taking place in the country, much like today: war, racism, civil unrest, terrorism, mass killings.
McCarthy felt compelled to put out a CD with a positive message, a healing balm as it were, a solution to be considered, something to hold on to, something to feel good about in a world where bad news prevails and can be so discouraging. In looking over her many compositions, Nora made a discovery. There assembled before her eyes was the music that would be that tap root she sought to provide peace and optimism to the world. The golden thread that wove them all together so perfectly was the word “blessing” as they all contained within their bars and measures, their form and structure, a blessing, and so, blesSINGS came into being.