From the Gospel-inflected musings of “Burden Down, Burden Down” (Hello Sister Rosetta Tharpe!) to the Afro-Cuban vibes of “Hola De Calor” and “Affair Brazil”; from the Geri Allen-inspired “A Time For Peace” to the cynical humor of “Jazz On TV” and the terror and sadness of “Flowers And Candles”. From the beautiful love songs of “Meant For Each Other” and “Still” to the tropics-inspired “Eye Of The Storm,” Modern Ancestors takes the listener on a musical journey that traverses a multitude of cultures, emotions and generations and is at the same time unlike any album Carmen has recorded in the past and yet remains so true to her craft.

Samples

“Yet they also encompass the many emotions that are prevalent in this country right now. We are going through tough times with a country that is sorely divided and many of these tracks reflect the feelings that we as human beings are going through on an individual level. CODE NOIR actually refers to the first law ever written by a person in power of a sovereign nation/empire – the King of France Louis XIV – the first law to disallow and make illegal the integration of the African race into white European society.” Having written or co-written all twelve tracks on the album, Carmen envelops her listeners from the start with the questioning opening song, “Another Chance” – a thought-provoking title truly pertinent in the world today. “Live Out Loud” encourages us to do just that while “Black And Blues” is about our present affairs, “the legacy of the black experience in America,” says Carmen. “The unplanned fallout and result of legislating and legalizing systemic racism.” She adds, “The electric guitar in the song illustrates its contribution to all things defining American culture through song.”

On another heartfelt level the glories of love at first – and second – sight are explored on “Second Sight” while “The Island, The Sea and You,” a song Carmen wrote while on a trip to Hawaii, is an ode to the love of Lundy’s life. The infectious “Have A Little Faith” explores the rhythms born of the African experience and originating from the African continent which the singer has always loved – and as an African American, has always identified with – while the lyrics of “Whatever It Takes” implore us to be strong in the face of this imperfect world.

The tracks “I Got Your Number,” “I Keep Falling” and “You Came Into My Life” are keen observations on the state of the modern-day romantic relationship in all its various stages. The CD closes with the inspired “Kumbaya,” originally spoken as ‘Come By Here’ in the south, “perhaps in the Gullah language of slaves from Angola brought to the Carolinas, to my understanding,” says Carmen. “It’s a song to my family. A plea to humanity.”

Masterfully accompanying Carmen on the new album is Patrice Rushen on piano who once again joins Carmen on this outing, Ben Williams on acoustic and electric bass, Jeff Parker on electric guitar, Kendrick Scott on drums and percussion and Elisabeth Oei on background vocals. In addition to vocals, Lundy also plays keyboards and guitar and arranged all the songs.

Samples

Featuring the stellar talents of guest artists Patrice Rushen, Geri Allen, Randy Brecker, Mayra Casales, Simphiwe Dana, Bennie Maupin, Carol Robbins, Ada Rovatti, and Warren Wolf along with Carmen’s core rhythm section members Darryl Hall and Jamison Ross , “Soul To Soul” invites the listener on an intriguing journey. The moods and moments of “Soul To Soul” are genre-bending and traverse many borders, both literally and figuratively.

Samples

Her core band of stellar musicians – Anthony Wonsey on piano, Kenny Davis on bass, and Jamison Ross on drums – and special guest artists Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, Nolan Shaheed on trumpet and flugelhorn, and George Bohanon on trombone, round out this superb collection of new songs. Recorded and mixed by the incomparable Don Murray and mastered by the legendary Doug Sax, this album is sure to win over old and new fans alike.

TRACK LISTING:

1. The Night Is Young
2. So Beautiful
3. Love Thy Neighbor
4. A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square
5. Sleeping Alone
6. Too Late For Love
7. Dance The Dance
8. To Be Loved By You
9. Where Love Surrounds Us

Originally recorded to serve as reference demos of new compositions, the recordings so moved listeners that Lundy was persuaded to release them as they were, with every second, every note a reflection of an artist at her creative peak.

The warm analog recording, pure tones and sublime melodies experienced throughout Solamente provide a sense of intimacy rarely heard in this digital era. Mix in Lundy’s willingness to bare herself as a writer and performer and you have a listening experience quite unlike anything heard in years.

Says Lundy, “From my heart to the page, the page to my fingers, I offer these songs to you. Completely organic, entirely home grown. Personally yours, a glimpse into my process. Enjoy.”

TRACK LISTING:

1. I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings (5:35)
2. Fire In The Rhythm (4:11)
3. The Out Crowd Pt. 1 (3:55)
4. Lay Low (3:28)
5. Requiem For Kathryn (5:31)
6. Show Me A Sign (3:42)
7. When Lights Are Low (4:06)
8. Free As A Child (3:29)
9. Move On (7:49)
10. America, The Beautiful (5:53)
11. Without Your Love (4:48)
12. The Out Crowd Pt. (2:14)

Conceived and Produced by Elisabeth Oei and Carmen Lundy Recorded and Mixed at Afrasia Studios, Los Angeles, CA, January – March 2009 Mastered by Bernie Becker (The Magician) Mastering, Pasadena, CA