The Squid's Ear Magazine


Kosi: I Know Who I Am (Self Released)

NY jazz vocalist Kosi (Akosua Gyebi) in her 4th solo album which she describes as a "concept album telling the story of guilt, absolution, love and self-actualization through original jazz and negro spirituals." through original songs and covers including Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Kosi-vocals, acoustic guitar

Vincent Parker-vocals

Brendon Biagi-tenor saxophone

Satish Robertson-flugelhorn, trumpet

Aron Marchak-electric guitar

John Lander-piano

Christopher Hall-bass

Isaiah Pierce-drums

Ian Koranek-recitations

Abdallah Oubaki-recitations

Daniel Leeds-recitations


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UPC: 88507626848

Label: Self Released
Catalog ID: none
Squidco Product Code: 23336

Format: CD
Condition: New
Released: 2016
Country: USA
Packaging: Jewel Case
Recorded in Long Island City, New York and Williamsburg, New York, by Joe Davi.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Akosua Gyebi goes by many names: she acts as the lead singer of the New York City jazz group Sweet Blue Fire, member of indie rock group The Goddess Lakshmi, and she just released her fourth full length solo album under the name Kosi. On her website, she calls her latest project, I Know Who I Am, a "concept album telling the story of guilt, absolution, love and self-actualization through original jazz and negro spirituals."

The opening track starts with a 50-second snippet of "Hallelujah," which she later sings in full. It is raw and especially emotional in light of Leonard Cohen's recent passing. The album includes traditional spirituals such as "Servant's Prayer" and "Walk With Me," as well as many originals such as the dark, twisting jazz song "Guilty." In the final track, "Morning After Blues," Kosi's goal of self-actualization is fulfilled, as she sings about accepting her body, her talents, and where she is in life. [...]"-Anna Polovick, Black Grooves


Artist Biographies

"Kosi (née Akosua Gyebi) is a New York City based singer/songwriter with nappy hair and jazz roots. Although she always brings just a little drama to her compositions and interpretations, she's more than just a drama queen. She's got piercing eyes and a voice that's larger than her body. But, small as she is, she won't fit in a box. She switches styles more quickly than you can follow, from jazz, to rock, then folk, but never more than a few steps away from the blues.

She cites Abbey Lincoln and Nina Simone as her main influences, and has been compared to Tracy Chapman, India Arie, Ma Rainey, and Bessie Smith. However, despite her comparisons and influences, everything about Kosi, from her nappy hair to her sometimes bare feet, from her occasionally jarring lyrics to her now-she's-sweet-now-she's-screaming dramatic interpretations, radiates authenticity. "I am not creating anything," she says, "nor am I deconstructing anything. I am neither an iconoclast nor a follower. I am simply myself, and that is enough." She's more than enough. You definitely want to hear this girl sing... if you can handle it.

Kosi is currently the lead vocalist of straight-ahead jazz group Sweet Blue Fire and indie rock group The Goddess Lakshmi."

-Kosi Website (http://kosi-sings.com/bio.php)
11/20/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



1. Intro (Hallelujah) 0:50

2. Elder Washington 2:56

3. Guilty 5:08

4. Servant's Prayer 2:11

5. Lament in A minor 4:42

6. Your Angel 5:46

7. Walk With me 2:58

8. Father So Wise (Elder Washington) 5:32

9. Hallelujah 4:20

10. Since I Laid My Burden Down 3:55

11. Morning After Blues 6:27

12. Untitled 7:03

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Jazz
Large Ensembles
Song Based Music
Melodic and Lyrical Jazz
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv

Search for other titles on the label:
Self Released.


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