On her stunning debut, the tenor saxophonist and rising member of the London jazz scene meditates on her humble family heritage, the continuum of jazz history, and the power of collective action in our present moment.
Garcia’s force as a saxophonist and as a bandleader seems like it could be a challenge. And at times it is. But it’s a challenge worth taking on.
Chockful of jazz that embraces you in a familiar feeling, Source is akin to an old friend you may not see for a while, but whenever you do, the world feels that little bit brighter and it’s as if no time has passed at all.
Stepping into the spotlight with a debut solo album, Nubya Garcia's skills as a saxophonist are only rivalled by her talent for composing.
Source, with its adventurous, kinetic, and sophisticated approach in wedding modern composition, improvisation, and production to rhythmic and harmonic traditions, is one of the very best.
Garcia allows these songs to ebb and flow without a clear end point in mind, allowing the interplay between her band-members to become this album’s primary draw. She has proven herself to be just as formidable a composer as she is a performer.
The sax star delivers a multi-mood, guest-rich celebration of the music of the African diaspora, from reggae to cumbia.
#8 | / | NPR Music |
#9 | / | Passion of the Weiss |
#14 | / | Sound Opinions: Greg Kot |
#20 | / | MOJO |
#22 | / | Esquire (UK) |
#24 | / | The Vinyl Factory |
#25 | / | Pitchfork |
#25 | / | Uncut |
#27 | / | Treble |
#29 | / | Norman Records |