Ten Fold＜数量限定盤＞

ブルックリン育ちのR&Bヴォーカリスト、Yaya Beyによる最新アルバム!
多彩な才能を持つ彼女のあらゆる側面が詰まった最高傑作!

ブルックリンで育ち、R&Bヴォーカリストとして活躍するYaya Beyが〈Big Dada〉から最新アルバム『Ten Fold』をリリースする。 2022年のアルバム『Remember Your North Star』と2023年のEP『Exodus the North Star』の強力なワン・ツー・パンチの後に繰り出される彼女の最新作は、過去・現在・未来について、その瞬間の考察を自由な言葉で綴った、彼女を包括する自画像のような作品。ソウル、ジャズ、レゲエ、アフロビート、ヒップホップを融合した独自のサウンドを生み出してきた彼女だが、『Ten Fold』の16曲では先行シングル「chasing the bus」の優しいファルセットと切実な歌詞からも聴き取れるように、彼女の唯一無二な音色と世界観が更なる広がりを見せている。プロダクションには、ジャズ・グループButcher BrownのCorey Fonvilleをはじめ、Karriem Riggins、Jay Daniel、Exaktly、Boston Cheryという豪華メンツが参加。詩人でもあり、医療訓練を受けたボランティアとしてデモ活動に参加し、アート・キュレーターも務めてきた、多彩な才能を持つ彼女のあらゆる側面が詰まった、瞑想的かつ、ユーモアあり社会風刺ありの最高傑作!

Without fanfare or even much of an intro, Ten Fold sidles up with a relaxed soul-jazz groove for Yaya Bey to partially summarize what shes been through since the release of her first Big Dada album. At once proud, irritated, and in mourning, she softly remarks, "I got all this money and Im still fuckin broke," referring to her new publishing deal before she alludes to taxes and the cost of her fathers funeral, then notes that she remembers "every word he spoke." In the next song, an atmospheric ballad with a bent bassline worthy of Sa-Ra or Georgia Anne Muldrow, shes grappling with self-doubt, but the mood starts to lift with "Ive been changing under all this pressure -- into something that shines." Although it was made in the wake of the loss of her father and is elsewhere informed by financial, emotional, and ecological stress, Ten Fold documents Beys navigation out of the darkness. She keeps her head to the sky, and when she spots rain clouds in the dazed disco-funk of "chrysanthemums," she visualizes that "Were all gonna bloom." Theres joy and pain in the trio of songs with specific people named in their titles. The jittering "eric adams in the club," inspired by the New York mayors gleeful presence at the Tribeca Festival -- after he had advised his constituents to limit outdoor activity due to historically poor air quality -- is a sardonic anthem of resilience. "carl thomas sliding down the wall," title of the year, is an anxious romantic confessional over lysergic funk recalling early-70s Sly & the Family Stone. And then theres "iloveyoufrankiebeverly," flowers laid at the feet of the beloved Maze leader while he was in the twilight of his farewell tour. Its pure and lively soul where Bey determines that shell make do in unfavorable circumstances. Equally moving are the statements of self and communal affirmation, such as the glowing house of "sir princess bad bitch" and the spare, swaggering hip-hop of "me and all my n*gg*s." Throughout, Bey explores the lower register of her voice to seductive effect, though its usually the higher notes that are more emotive, whether theyre expressing despair or contentment. She delegates more production than usual to Butcher Browns Corey Fonville and DJ Harrison, Detroiters Karriem Riggins and Jay Daniel, and Boston Chery and Exaktly. A greater amount of collaboration notwithstanding, Ten Fold couldnt feel more personal, from the in-the-moment experiential songwriting to sampled and recorded appearances from her father, Juice Crew associate Grand Daddy I.U. ~ Andy Kellman

詩作やラップのスキルにも長けたNYブルックリン出身のR&Bシンガーが2年ぶりに新作を発表。制作陣にブッチャー・ブラウンの面々やカリーム・リギンズらを招いた今回はネオ・ソウルやジャズの感覚を強め、ディスコやハウス系の曲も含めながら飾らない歌で躍動する。ダンスホール風の"So Fantastic"は2022年に他界した父グランド・ダディI.U.の声を交えた粋な追悼曲だ。
bounce (C)林剛