Deelee Dube combines a stellar African musical lineage, a London upbringing’s eclectic tastes, and a deep love and respect for the jazz tradition: Her late father was the famed South African jazz pianist Jabu Nkosi, and her grandfather was saxophonist and bandleader Zacks (Isaac) Nkosi. Dube’s latest studio album consists of all American/U.S.-based personnel and was recorded under the Concord Music label and produced by Benito Gonzalez.
Her solo voice opens the title track “Trying Times,” and the warmth of the acapella vocalese is felt as it wraps around the listener. A little bass intro and the track becomes an ensemble number with input from the collective. It’s a swingy, classy and a well-rendered version. “Still Trying” is written by Dube and Alex Webb and is a folksy/jazz-infused number with a good lyrical narrative and storyline. Deelee Dube’s voice is comfortably well within her range, and one of the great things about a number like this is the ease with which it is delivered – which rubs off on the listener.
Her update of “On a Clear Day” is introduced by a drum solo into which the voice drops sharply. The song’s familiar lines are re-worked and taken on lines that may offend traditionalists, but actually works a treat here, given the singer’s assuredness and tight support from the band. The bass and piano solos are lovely, and this is a good take on the number. “Ugly Beauty (Still We Dream)” is also given the Dube treatment and her tender, warm delivery packed with emotion imbues the number with life. The octave switches are well worked and achieved with such ease, as only an expert singer can do. The gentle piano and bass sections add a delicacy to the number, and the vocal entry after these is magical.
“500 Miles” is a wonderful weaving together of piano and vocal lines. There is a beautiful piano and percussion section with contrapuntal rhythms and changes in time patterns, which contrasts well with the voice’s controlled, light tenderness. “Thou Swell” is treated to a sassy, playful arrangement and delivered with precision, particularly in the mesmeric piano solo, while “Lazy Afternoon” is laid back – inviting us to kick the shoes off and imagine hot, sun-drenched days, all of it scribed perfectly by the words of the song. Deelee Dube’s voice is suited so well to this number, as she takes the listener on a journey with her.
“Joy” is written by Dube with her partner Renato D’Aiello, and has a lyrical musicality that is both engaging and urgent. The central ensemble section is punctuated by a thoughtful piano solo and a bass line which chops and changes under everything. The vocal phrasing to finish is well, a joy. “Unity” is a thing of beauty and eloquence: Phrases are seamlessly woven into each other, with time changes, shifting patterns from vocals and accompaniment with a stellar bass solo. “Still We Try,” a tone poem, makes an interesting finish to Trying Times, combining spoken rhythmic patterns of voice over the ensemble in the first half before the ensemble continues alone.
The album is a fine example of great vocals over a tight and well-heeled ensemble, comprised of stellar musicians including the trumpet of Duane Eubanks, Benito Gonzalez on piano and Rhodes, Corcoran Holt on double bass, Mark Whitfield Jr. on drums, Eric Wyatts on tenor saxophone, and Andrae Murchison and Russell Malone adding electro-acoustic guitar.
In 2017, when she played at the London Jazz Platform, Deelee Dube was emerging as a star of the U.K. scene. Now, she has achieved her potential and is still gaining more fans as her voice is recognized for its quality and richness.
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