British Jazz/Soul vocalist and songwriter Zara McFarlane returns to the scene with her third album, ARISE, the follow-up to her 2014 album IF YOU KNEW HER. Like her first two albums, ARISE is available on the beloved Brownswood Recordings label. Brownswood was founded by Gilles Peterson, the respected French-born British DJ who was also responsible for the Acid Jazz and Talkin’ Loud labels. Anyone familiar with Brownswood’s eclectic roster and Zara’s first two albums will already know that she is a musical force to be reckoned with and that ARISE does not disappoint on any level.

On ARISE, Zara blends Jazz, World Music and Soul into a musical gumbo that is passionate and timeless. However, there’s more to Zara than meets the ear. Upon repeated spins, hints of Pop, Latin Music and Reggae permeate the listening experience, revealing a depth and understanding of the way music really works. Like a ship sailing on the sea, it takes more than a gust of wind to push things forward – there are so many moving parts that only become apparent once you immerse yourself into the music and peel off the layers. “Fussin’ And Fightin’” is a prime example of this. And it is one of those songs you need to track down and listen to right now.

For the record, ARISE features some of the finest musicians (literally movers and shakers) of the London Jazz scene including Binker Golding on tenor sax, Peter Edwards on piano, Shirley Tetteh on guitar, Nathaniel Cross on trombone and Shabaka Hutchings on clarinet. Combined, Zara and these musicians have made music that moves the spirit. ARISE and heed their call!


Keep on truckin’,
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

ZARA McFARLANE

 

ARISE

 

9.29.17