Continuing her colossal narrative of the African American experience, multidisciplinary artist and (non-binary) saxophonist Matana Roberts offers a fifth chapter Quack quack which addresses current events in a way that is as intuitive as it is disturbing. This time, Roberts, still in her spoken word style, tells the story of one of her ancestors who died after having an illegal abortion. Let’s say that it resonates loudly in this narrow-minded America to the point of encroaching on women’s rights, and even more so through the strength of the musical accompaniments of its many collaborators, including Darius Jones on alto saxophone, master improviser Cory Smythe on piano and Kyp Malone (TV on the Radio) on synths and production. In the form of a stylistic collage, Roberts superimposes contemporary music, folk, experimental rock and free jazz to convey his message and his emotions. Conceptual, yes, but urgent, poignant, and peppered with moments of grace, like this solo lyric from Roberts on a caged dance.
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To watch on video