extract from the album “Akua’s Dance”
Akua’s Music – 2017
Afrika! Afrika! is a beautiful piece that not only massage your brain – as jazz does – but also touch you deep inside in your heart.
The way Akua Dixon is playing is simply incredible. It is both delicate and strong, as a silent scream.
Akua apparently composed ‘Afrika! Afrika!’ during 1972 and first played it while part of the Quartette Indigo in 1973 (If you are curious, you can find a recording of 1979 on her SoundCloud)
I guess this is the reason why the track is that strong. It is a composition done with all the dreams and emotions of a young person, interpreted afresh, after 45 years, being through life.
This is great as a continent.
“[a piece that embodies] the sacred and secular sides of African-American culture.”
Akua Dixon: cello | Victor Lewis: drums | Russel Malone: guitar | Ron Carter: bass
Akua’s Dance was released in February 2017 on Akua’s Music
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Thanks for the wonderful review!
I composed Afrika! Afrika! In 1972 while on a journey there. In 1981 I won a National Endowment for the Arts grant to score it for solo cello and string orchestra. There are three movements. The grant allowed me to also make a documentary recording of the work. That’s what you can listen to on my Soundcloud page.
Thank you so much Akua for reading and commenting this article.
And please do not hesitate to tour in Sweden – we would love to hear you on live on stage