Brettina: Brettina
Brettina hails from the Bahamas, and defines herself as an island girl, while musically branching out into metropolitan arrangements with strong jazz crosscurrents and soft percussion applied tastefully. The Caribbean images come to mind with "Paradise," and "Bahamian Girl," the latter accompanied with proper shades of steel pans. Keeping true to her roots, Brettina reinvents the classic Harry Belafonte number "Island in the Sun," a Diaspora anthem for the ages, giving it a light jazz treatment. She has inherent sensitivity for rhythmic music and sings with authenticity, as the songs entail.
Though it is in the ballads as "Serafina," a timeless tale of a mystery woman, "Poor Old Times," an ancestral saga, and the religious prayer of "Pardon the Storm," that she really shines, recalling a young Roberta Flack with those heart wringing lyrics and delivery.
Brettina is a fine record in part due to the keyboardist and producer, Tracy Carter, who is given ample credit by Brettina, for allowing her to discover her own voice. The summation may best be in the song "My Time to Shine," and the time is now.
Track Listing
Paradise; Bahamian Girl; The Bug; Serafina; Poor Old Times; Chai; My Time To Shine; Pardon The Storm; Island In The Sun; One; Serfina (with strings).
Personnel
Brettina: vocals; Tracy Carter: keyboards; Dale Black Jr.: bass (1-6, 8, 10); Laval Belle: drums (1, 4, 9); Jerohn Garrett: drums ( 2, 3, 5, 6-8, 10); Donald Hayes: saxophone (1, 6); John "Jubu" Smith: guitar (2-7, 10); Munyungo Jackson: percussion (2, 9); Toni Scruggs: background vocals (1, 2); Ava Monroe Garrett: background vocals (2, 3, 6); Dontae Winslow: trumpet (5); Kirkwood Oakley: bass (7); Del Atkins: bass (9); Gerald Albright: saxophone (7); Theophilus Coakley: keyboards (9); Romeo Johnson: background vocals (9); Mark Cargill: strings (8, 10); Wanda Xulu: background vocals (10).
Album information
Title: Brettina | Year Released: 2010 | Record Label: Floating Bridge Media
Post a comment about this album
FOR THE LOVE OF JAZZ
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
Tags
Showcase
Contest Giveaway
Days remaining: 23
