Messenger, by Michele Thomas

Messenger

by Michele Thomas

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"MESSENGER" sheds light on the introspective mind and spirit of Stevie Wonder. These reinterpreted pieces are transported through the contemplative soul-tinged and energized vocals of Michele Thomas.

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1.	Have A Talk With God 04:28	info	buy track
2.	Jesus Children Of America 04:34	info	buy track
3.	Dee Song (For Andrea) 04:56	lyrics	buy track
Music- Enrico Pieranunzi, Lyrics-Michele Thomas Maybe sooner maybe later still, Love comes to find her and to dwell for a time. Forgetting all and letting her heart dance with the Light. Sweet desire to be known by someone, open door into her heart's home. For sooner maybe later still she'll wait through the night. Joy within his kiss warm in her heart. Now love has found her, and will dwell for a time. The lover of her life the siren song of her soul. Suddenly she stands in perfect wonder; Reeling senses overcome her! The Joy within his kiss forever leading her home... Dance with Light forgiving, Joy will always lead her home!
4.	Higher Ground 05:39	info	buy track
5.	They Won't Go When I Go 04:59	info	buy track
6.	If It's Magic 05:34	info	buy track
7.	Triple Play (Triune) 06:12	lyrics	buy track
Music-Hal Galper, Lyrics-Michele Thomas Must have been a question asked,  to stir the soul to set a path, of living into life for sake of peace. Must have been a need to know the meaning of, the thrill of joy the strength of love.  How can we calm the yearning of our souls? The author of the whole of it  has sent to us a way of knowing all news.  And brings to us the way of becoming  all that we need to.  The way to know and be the soulful entity  within you,  Is simply live and learn and watch and feel the motions of your heart. So little soul, I know you'll find  That truth gives love to joy sublime!  The Holy three begins within the heart of you.  Never doubt the voice of your life... (It's the only choice for your life...)
8.	Big Brother 04:29	info	buy track

about

"Michele Thomas takes her inspiration from Stevie Wonder, even covering some of his most familiar songs on Messenger. However, as jazzy as Wonder can get, Thomas is even jazzier than the iconic Motown artist.

She opens with “Have a Talk with God,” which leans heavy upon funky electric guitar. Thomas also reveals a bit of a feminist strain when she refers to god as ‘she’ toward the end of the track.

Another religious one (then again, God has been all through Wonder’s work over the years) is “Jesus Children.” This song was likely originally inspired by the Jesus People movement of the late 60s/early 70s, particularly in Southern California where churches like Costa Mesa’s Calvary Chapel were accepting hippies of that era with open arms, while many mainstream churches were trying to hold these long-haired, sloppily-dressed young people at arm’s length. Thomas’ version includes plenty of brass horn work and female backing vocals.

Perhaps the most straightforward jazz song on this collection is “Dee Song (For Andrea).” It’s backed not by a funky guitar part, but with a gentle, Joe Pass-like traditional jazz electric bed, and built upon complicated jazz chords. It’s a soft song that Thomas sings prettily.

“Higher Ground” is sung with the necessary anger. When Red Hot Chilli Peppers covered it, they did so as though it were some sort of fun funk workout. And while the funk groove is undeniable, to sing it without vitriol directed toward the powers that be only gets it half right. Thomas’ version is jazzy, with horns and more of a jazz-fusion feel, rather than some sort of 70s funk. Oh, and she sounds really angry on it.

For “They Won’t Go When I Go,” Thomas transforms the tune into a percolating number that has African music elements running through it. The guitar part sounds a little Nigerian in places. Thomas holds back her vocals when singing it and lets the guitar and simple organ part take up much of the sonic space. At one point, Thomas works in a few lines of Curtis Mayfield’s “People Get Ready,” which was a hit – and a popular Civil Rights song – from the 60s.

Thomas gives “If It’s Magic” a breezy jazz feel. The track swings with a shuffling groove. It’s colored by acoustic piano and busy drumming. It’s also a little on the Latin side, stylistically.

On “Triple Play,” Thomas performs her most complicated jazz vocal. The song sounds to be in 6/4 at times, but it’s by no means any sort of waltz. Thomas spars with her electric guitarist throughout, which makes the song into a sort of guitar versus vocal duel. Thomas even scats a bit on the tune.

The album closes with “Big Brother,” and it returns a bit to the African roots Thomas explored with “They Won’t Go When I Go.” Once again, percussion is upfront in the mix. Her take on this song may remind you a little of Paul Simon’s Graceland recording. The song’s lyric is quite dark, as it’s sung from the perspective of someone living in the ghetto. Even so, Thomas infuses the track with a bright, upbeat feel. It’s almost as though she’s fallen in love with the melody; which, in this case, takes priority over the lyric. Even so, it sounds strange to hear Thomas singing in a Chaka Khan-like voice about roach-infested apartments.

Overall, this is a fun collection of reinterpretations. When someone can take such liberties with the original material, and never spoil the memories of Wonder’s version, shows just how strong Stevie’s compositions are. They’re so great melodically other artists can play with them and come up with new and beautiful covers. You may not even reach back for the old Wonder records quite so quickly after listening to this one." Rating: 4 Stars (out of 5)

Dan MacIntosh
ReviewYou.com

credits

released September 30, 2012

MICHELE THOMAS - VOCALS

NEAL ALGER: GUITAR
BOB LOVECCHIO: ELECTRIC AND UPRIGHT BASS
DARREN SCORZA: DRUMS, PERCUSSION AND KEYBOARDS
CHRIS MAHIEU - KEYBOARD

WITH:
JOE LILL - TRUMPET
MATT SHEVITZ - SAXOPHONE
NIXON OMOLLO - BACKUP VOCALS
SHADONNA WARE - BACKUP VOCALS
PHILLIP PAIGE - BACKUP VOCALS
ARLENE PENAFLORIDA - BACKUP VOCALS

Produced by Michele Thomas and Darren Scorza
Recorded, Mixed and Mastered at Mather Point Music
by Darren Scorza

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about

Michele Thomas Chicago, Illinois

The daughter of a preacher, Chicago singer Michele Thomas brings an irresistible gospel-soul warmth to jazz.
JazzReview.com deemed her as, “one of those new artists that you anxiously wait to hear more from…"

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Aug 27

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Michele Thomas recommends:

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Contemporary jazz compositions for a new generation. Love the grooves, the forms and the overall expressive fabric of this album, and it is a bassist lead ensemble which makes it all the more unique. Michele Thomas
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