Sonic Interventions – ‘Do You Remember?’ album review: a politically defiant jazz odyssey
THE SKINNY: Today, we live in a largely post-colonial world, yet the looming shadow of imperialist terror has never really dissipated. Countries all around the world still suffer from the devastating impact of colonial rule, even if those rulers have washed their hands of it all. In Africa, music has always been used as a form of social commentary and protest, and the colonial period across the continent saw countless defiant artists challenge their rulers through song and dance. That legacy of defiance is carried on in the modern age by artists like jazz collective Sonic Interventions.
Hailing from Berlin, Sonic Interventions boasts an impossibly diverse line-up of musicians from all over the world, including Ghana, South Africa, Algeria, Colombia, Cuba, Australia, and various other faraway corners of the globe. Their debut album, Do You Remember? does an excellent job of capturing that diversity. Across the tracklisting, you can hear the influences of Latin jazz, Afrobeat, R&B, and funk, with a particular emphasis on African music scenes and traditions. Truly, you would be hard-pushed to find another album that is adept at showcasing as many different styles in such a short space of time.
Impressively, Sonic Interventions manages to imbue the record with a strong sense of narrative and flow. The broad range of influences drawn upon within the music does not feel messy or contrived at any point, with the collective expertly flowing from one sound to another in the tradition of spiritual jazz. What’s more, that narrative is inherently political, touching upon topics of war, imperialism, and colonialism through its music and performance.
The song ‘War’, for instance, is an incredibly harrowing, atmospheric track capturing the horrors of conflict, yet it is sandwiched between two horn-heavy jazz tracks, both of which are just as important in their social commentary and messaging. Sonic Interventions seem to have a unique ability to boil an issue down to its core spirit and then use that spirit to craft some groundbreaking jazz music. Berlin is experiencing a particularly vibrant jazz scene at present, but few could ever hope to elevate themselves to the level that Sonic Interventions are currently operating. After all, they are not just another jazz collective; they are a force for infectious political defiance using music as their weapon of choice.
For fans of: Taking your pals to a wine bar and then boring them with talk about trilbys and the political power of jazz.
A concluding comment from Ben’s housemate: “The promise of funky saxophone tunes has drawn me in, but instead, I have been forced to reckon with global conflict and the horrific legacy of colonialism. If that doesn’t sum up jazz as a genre, then I don’t know what will.”
Do You Remember? track by track:
Release Date: November 22nd | Producer: Dylan Hunter Chee Greene and Pachakuti | Label: Agogo Records
‘Dust’: Vocalist Dumama kicks off this jazz odyssey with a question of existentialism: ‘Do you remember when we were dust?’ The intensity of the song increases as time moves on, reflecting the intense journey into jazz spiritualism the listener is about to embark upon with this record. [3.5/5]
‘Twasa’: Perfectly encapsulating the broad range of influences drawn upon by the Berlin band, this stand-out moment on the album relies heavily on the traditions and sound of Afrobeat, with its distinctive rhythm and blaring horns. [4.5/5]
‘Siyavuma (we accept, we surrender)’: Although the Zulu-language title of this song seems to admit defeat, ‘Siyavuma’ is as joyously defiant as this record gets. Its driving rhythm and sporadic vocal chants create a truly unique atmosphere which typifies the album. [4.5/5]
‘War’: Slowing things down a little, the Berlin collective creates a dark, haunting soundscape, the narrative of which only grows more intense and frightening as it continues. It is songs like this which elevate Sonic Interventions to politically-charged jazz innovators defining the current scene. [4/5]
‘Let Go’: From harrowing sonic depictions of war to a beat-driven, head-bopping tune punctuated by R&B style vocals and upbeat horns. While the song itself is not particularly upbeat, it certainly marks a change in mood from the previous songs. [3.5/5]
‘You Are’: One of the more optimistic efforts on the record, Sonic Interventions delivers a message of hope and self-belief in this anthemic tune. The trumpet of Daniel ‘El Congo’ Allen is particularly enjoyable on this track, but the horn section has been pretty flawless throughout the tracklisting, so no surprises there. [4/5]
‘Change’: With soulful vocals and clear inspiration taken from the world of hip-hop, the band’s sound only seems to expand and diversify with every new song on Do You Remember?. While this is perhaps not the most memorable moment in the tracklisting, you cannot fault Sonic Intervention’s commitment to musical exploration. [3/5]
‘Breathe’: As we near the end of this hypnotic jazz journey, the band slows things down once again. ‘Breathe’ crafts a laid-back, effortlessly cool moment for self-reflection and relaxation, aligning with old-school cool jazz style. [3.5/5]
‘Ma Qeti Pa Haru’: Going out with a bang, the Berlin group treat listeners to a brooding seven-minute epic, moving from spiritual jazz into an all-out frenzy of influences ranging from Latin jazz to Afrobeat, all fitting together seamlessly under the banner of Sonic Interventions. [4.5/5]
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