Acute Inflections 400

Acute Inflections
400
Self-produced

"400" is a tribute to Bob Marley by the New York-based duo Acute Inflections. The duo consists of vocalist Elasea Douglas and bassist Sadiki Pierre. Douglas has a varied dance and performing career in addition to developing as a vocalist. She was in the original Broadway production of "Fela." Douglas initially  trained as a classical vocalist, while Pierre received training as a classical bassist, Both found their training confining and have expanded their musical horizons. With her tuneful singing, he provides percussive, melodic, and groovy bass lines.

She has an attractive voice and is skilled in phrasing, although the intimate bass-vocal duets pose limitations for extended listening. It allows her to help focus on Bob Marley's lyrics which still resonate today in our continuing troubled times. Particularly noteworthy are renditions of "I Shot the Sheriff" (where she slows down the vocal as she enunciates the lyric), "Redemption Song" (a particularly lovely vocal), a reflective "Waiting in Vain," and an ardent "Get Up Stand Up."

As suggested above, given the austere setting of the performances (particularly when compared with Marley's original recordings, listeners will likely appreciate this recording by listening to several selections at a time instead of listening in one setting. It is very different from listening to Marley but in its own way, "400" is a moving, heartfelt tribute.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here Acute Inflections perform "Stir It Up."