Most times, history comes upon us when we least expect it. As we sit safely in our homes, it reaches out silently behind us and touches us with changing moments, they change people, they change film, they change music, they change culture. We may be on the verge of such a moment with Candice Hoyes’ homage to Duke Ellington, “On a Turquoise Cloud.”
Hoyes set her roots in opera, not jazz, as a soprano dazzling the crowds by stretching her voice to the rafters. What she does with “On a Turquoise Cloud” melds the smooth vibrato of her operatic beginning with the freestyle and joyous rhythms of a few of Ellington’s best unknown works. The result transcends anything produced by a new jazz artist recently, and gives birth to a new sound, something uniquely her own. Here’s a track by track rundown:
- “On a Turquoise Cloud”-This instrumental piece provides a chance not only for Hoyes to show her range, but to let her voice take a place as an instrument in the ensemble. It hearkens back to days long past when this kind of song was more common and accepted in culture. Her vocals blend beautifully with the instruments here.
- “Heaven”-Soft and simple, once again Hoyes range stretches further into its lower reaches, before building to a strong crescendo at the top of her range. It’s technically nice, but not the best song on the album.
- “Come Sunday”-A song full of the spiritual rhythm infusing the African-American church and many communities, especially as they looked toward God for help in their oppression before the Civil Rights era. “Come Sunday” not only invokes spirituality, but struggle, and Hoyes’ voice carries each in equal measure.
- “Baby”-The album picks up the pace with this catchy tune. As you listen, you’ll find yourself smiling along with Hoyes as you think about the intense crushes you’ve felt in your life. One of my favorites.
- “Transblucency”-Another instrumental adds the feeling of transition from Act 1 to Act 2 of a play. Act 2 kills it.
- “Brown Penny”-The heart of the album lies in its ability to convey a wonderful sense of the joys and travails of love and life. This track shows a young woman making a decision by the flip of a coin while Hoyes, ironically, remains in full control of her vocals emotionally and musically.
- “Far Away Star”-Like on “Brown Penny”, the horn section comes alive on this soulful track. The sense is not of simple mourning, but of uncontrollable grief. A wonderful song.
- “Creole Love Call”-The “Call” oozes sexuality from start to finish, with Hoyes voice taking on a sultry, southern vibe so different from the operatic vibrato infusing many of the other tracks.
- “Single Petal of a Rose”-A beautiful elegy for lovers separated by distance. Hoyes vocals echo sublimely the bass saxophone of jazz great Joe Temperly. This simple love song carries such power and grace, I felt as if my own spirit would rise to meet my wife across town. Sounds pretty corny, I know. But listen to this song with your eyes closed. You’ll understand.
- “Violet Blue”-Syncopation rules this perfect observation of Autumn.
- “Blues I Love to Sing”-Hoyes growls and scats her way through this blend of blues and jazz. An instrumental piece worthy of attention for sure.
- “Almighty God”-A spiritual once again connecting the African-American community together in the face of oppression. Hoyes shifts so easily from opera to jazz to gospel, it’s not hard to see her in any setting.
- “Thank You for Everything”-A fantastic finish to a transcendent album. This song has layers upon layers to unpack. I find in it a homage to one of America’s greatest musicians and singers. Duke Ellington remains popular decades after the height of his own popularity. For many, he changed the way entire generations heard and played music. It would also make a nice ending for any live show Hoyes conducts.
If I seem to gush over this album, it’s because I believe it to be one of the finest recordings, jazz or otherwise, of the last several years. Candice Hoyes has started her career with a challenge to every other young artist out there. Make something uniquely your own, even if you record someone else’s work. What she has created is lasting, and will make her a talent to watch closely in the coming years.
“On A Turquoise Cloud” is now available to buy or download
