Wonderful, Caribbean jazz journey

For this effect Ruth Osman’s sophmore album Elemental may be perfect.

Her music has a jazz foundation but she told Sunday Newsday in a previous interview that it is moving towards “Caribbean folk” which incorporates drums and other rhythms.

With the ten-track Elemental, Osman starts off strong with the intro. It begins with guitar strums and her melodic voice dances in like leaves on the breeze.

To me the music is relaxing and slightly mesmerising, which sets the mood for the songs to come.

“Everything we are is music,” she sings.

The first full track is Come with me, which starts with percussion that sounds like an echo of water drops; water is a theme throughout the album. Osman gives us some scat, which she is a natural at, and then some nature imagery. The multi-talented artist is also a flautist and charms with the flute in this opening song.

Come with me seems to give the listener a flowing effect, suddenly dropping, causing you to catch your breath.

“Come with me, we will be carried by the song,” she sings.

The third song is the late Andre Tanker’s Morena Osha. As Osman’s voice tells the story of a beautiful woman, it is accompanied by strong drum beats.

Her rendition of the chorus had me rocking my head from side to side.

For the line “hear the sound of drummers cracking through the night” she lifts the word “drummers”, creating a musically piercing atmosphere.

River Calling creates more idyllic image, complemented by the sound of the flute. Osman shows off some of her vocal range, going from depths to heights as she sings, I wanna fly. It is a finger-snapping tune with some whimsy.

Osman goes from idyllic imagery to life struggles with Oh Brother. “Want to set it on fire and watch it burn” she declares. Although the song is lyrically strong, considering the topic there could have been a bit more edge in her voice and in the arrangement.

There is some edge and a bit of funk with Not Enough, a duet with reggae artist Collis Duranty. The sweetness of her voice and the toughness of his meld well together on the passionate love song. “I want your time and your body, want it next to you, share our minds and our body, change this destiny,” she declares. Osman gives the song’s bridge some heights, which are well punctuated by Duranty’s voice.

The musical journey continues with her rendition of In?til Paisagem (Useless Landscape) by late Brasilian songwriter Ant?nio Carlos Jobim. Osman’s voice is pleading at the start, as though she is singing from her heart. “What’s the use of the waves that will break in the cool of the evening, what is the evening without you, it’s nothing.” She breaks into some Portuguese with ease.

In?til Paisagem is followed by another cover - Redemption Song by Bob Marley. Osman’s voice brings a lighter touch to the song, while there is still a steel fist punching through the vocals in the declarations of strength. The use of steelpan blends well with the song, though some of the jazz flavour and “twinkle” sound effects felt superfluous.

The track Everybody Needs a Song features beautiful imagery and a return to the water.

“Everybody needs the words for that longing deep inside.” Simple and powerful.

In the final track Osman shows another talent and passion - spoken word poetry. With her performance of The Dark there is rhythm and cadence in her voice and the change of form feels as smooth as slipping into a warm bath. The flute and drums punctuate the stanzas with deep, thoughtful imagery.

“But the light sterile as a reptile’s tears snags on edges and patters down empty corridors” she says.

There is also deft use of alliteration and other poetic devices.

“Someone must mourn the death of a star and sing another into being.” And if Elemental is any indication Osman’s star is definitely on the rise. Elemental is available on iTunes and Amazon.com.