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![Out of Dust]( "Out of Dust")
Laila Biali
Laila Biali
Out of Dust
VÖ: 27.03.2020
Genre: Vokal-Jazz Highlights, Vokaljazz
Laila Biali / piano & vocals
Glenn Patscha / organ
Rich Brown / electric bass
George Koller / acoustic bass
Larnell Lewis / drums
Ben Wittman / drums & percussion
Godwin Louis / soprano sax
John Ellis / tenor sax & clarinets
Mike “Maz” Maher / trumpet
Remy Le Boeuf / alto sax & flutes
Alan Ferber / trombones
Strings & background vocals
Tracking Engineers L. Stu Young & Luke Schindler (Revolution Recording Studios, Toronto) & Oliver Straus (Mission Sound Studios, New York City) Mixing Engineer Tim Abraham, assisted by Jonathon Unger Mastering Engineer João Carvalho, assisted by Bryan Lowe Produced by Ben Wittman & Laila Biali
The last few years have been a rollercoaster for Laila Biali.
For nearly every major triumph—a highly acclaimed return to jazz, winning the JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, touring the world—the singer-songwriter has faced a private debilitating crisis. In just a few short years, Biali lost a close friend, mourned a family member, and dealt with health chal-lenges of her own. It was a period of change and heartache—but it was also a season of great inspiration and hope. The result is Biali’s deeply personal new album, Out of Dust.
“These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss,” Biali reveals. “I believe that nothing is wasted, that even life's greatest trials can produce something meaningful, if only to make us more empathetic to the struggles of those around us.”
This hard-won optimism is apparent in the music. Instead of giving into the darkness, Out of the Dust finds Biali luxuriating in the light. Co-produced by Biali and her husband, Ben Wittman, the album is a celebration of life; warm and uplifting even as it confronts her recent challenges (and the current political clima-te!) head-on.
The political is personal on the brassy album opener, “Revival.” Transforming global tumult into an inspiring call-to-arms, she sings with the clear-eyed confidence of a warrior, “Come on down / There’s a fire underground!” This fervor animates the entire album, even its quieter, more personal moments:
“Wendy’s Song,” a piano ballad dedicated to the friend she lost, turns the details of a single life into a powerful epic; “Glass House,” which she co-wrote with her husband, frankly addresses the after-effects of a family member’s struggle with mental health issues; “Take the Day Off” bluntly acknowledges the reality of healing with Biali singing that it’s OK to “pull the sheets over your head” and “unwind” when you need to. Even “Take Me To The Alley,” the album’s sole cover, holds special meaning for Biali: she sang an ethereal version of the Gregory Porter song at her friend’s memorial.
In addition to contributions from Biali’s husband, Out of the Dust features multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners inclu-ding vocalist Lisa Fisher, saxophonists John Ellis and Godwin Louis, drummer Larnell Lewis, and trombonist Alan Ferber, who composed all the horn arrangements. The album’s collaborative atmosphere led to “Au pays de Cocagne,” Biali’s first French co-write, which was created with francophone singer Sonia John-son.
“There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me,” Biali says. “‘He makes beautiful things out of dust.’ That's where the title for the album comes from, and as a songwriter and musician, my ultimate intention and hope is to spread a little more love.”
Glenn Patscha / organ
Rich Brown / electric bass
George Koller / acoustic bass
Larnell Lewis / drums
Ben Wittman / drums & percussion
Godwin Louis / soprano sax
John Ellis / tenor sax & clarinets
Mike “Maz” Maher / trumpet
Remy Le Boeuf / alto sax & flutes
Alan Ferber / trombones
Strings & background vocals
Tracking Engineers L. Stu Young & Luke Schindler (Revolution Recording Studios, Toronto) & Oliver Straus (Mission Sound Studios, New York City) Mixing Engineer Tim Abraham, assisted by Jonathon Unger Mastering Engineer João Carvalho, assisted by Bryan Lowe Produced by Ben Wittman & Laila Biali
The last few years have been a rollercoaster for Laila Biali.
For nearly every major triumph—a highly acclaimed return to jazz, winning the JUNO Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year, touring the world—the singer-songwriter has faced a private debilitating crisis. In just a few short years, Biali lost a close friend, mourned a family member, and dealt with health chal-lenges of her own. It was a period of change and heartache—but it was also a season of great inspiration and hope. The result is Biali’s deeply personal new album, Out of Dust.
“These new songs took shape as I processed my own feelings of doubt and loss,” Biali reveals. “I believe that nothing is wasted, that even life's greatest trials can produce something meaningful, if only to make us more empathetic to the struggles of those around us.”
This hard-won optimism is apparent in the music. Instead of giving into the darkness, Out of the Dust finds Biali luxuriating in the light. Co-produced by Biali and her husband, Ben Wittman, the album is a celebration of life; warm and uplifting even as it confronts her recent challenges (and the current political clima-te!) head-on.
The political is personal on the brassy album opener, “Revival.” Transforming global tumult into an inspiring call-to-arms, she sings with the clear-eyed confidence of a warrior, “Come on down / There’s a fire underground!” This fervor animates the entire album, even its quieter, more personal moments:
“Wendy’s Song,” a piano ballad dedicated to the friend she lost, turns the details of a single life into a powerful epic; “Glass House,” which she co-wrote with her husband, frankly addresses the after-effects of a family member’s struggle with mental health issues; “Take the Day Off” bluntly acknowledges the reality of healing with Biali singing that it’s OK to “pull the sheets over your head” and “unwind” when you need to. Even “Take Me To The Alley,” the album’s sole cover, holds special meaning for Biali: she sang an ethereal version of the Gregory Porter song at her friend’s memorial.
In addition to contributions from Biali’s husband, Out of the Dust features multiple GRAMMY nominees and winners inclu-ding vocalist Lisa Fisher, saxophonists John Ellis and Godwin Louis, drummer Larnell Lewis, and trombonist Alan Ferber, who composed all the horn arrangements. The album’s collaborative atmosphere led to “Au pays de Cocagne,” Biali’s first French co-write, which was created with francophone singer Sonia John-son.
“There's a line from a song by the indie gospel group, Gungor, that has become like an anthem to me,” Biali says. “‘He makes beautiful things out of dust.’ That's where the title for the album comes from, and as a songwriter and musician, my ultimate intention and hope is to spread a little more love.”
Laila Biali
"She is an exciting and unique talent, and I admire her
greatly." - Sting
Canadian singer, songwriter, and pianist Laila Biali follows
in the tradition of Canadian music giants like Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen,
Diana Krall, or Michael Bublé, where influences from jazz, soul, blues, folk,
and pop naturally come together.
In her music, the precision and accessibility of pop blend
impressively with the stylistic and playful openness of jazz. This fusion is
evident in her compelling and highly diverse original compositions as well as
her interpretations of songs by artists like Coldplay or David Bowie.
Laila Biali is a shining example of a generation of
contemporary jazz musicians who combine ambition and accessibility in their
music. For these musicians, "pure" jazz is already a contradiction in
terms, and "jazz" primarily represents an extremely multifaceted
music in which, apart from the polished mainstream format, real musicians and
real composers present genuine, deep emotions. It's music full of passion and
at the same time full of intelligence, played with soul and skill.
Just like the music of Laila Biali, she represents the new
great jazz voice of North America
Laila Biali
CD
€9.90*
