Ella Thompson: Triumph and Sadness

While the United Kingdom's relationship with and interpretations of American soul, jazz and R&B music are rightly celebrated, Australia has a rich history with Black American music as well. In fact, Aboriginal and indigenous Australians first encountered African-Americans as early as the late nineteenth century, when a choir from Fisk University, one of the United States' first Black colleges, traveled to and spent six years in Australia, where they introduced their traditional music. Jazz music made its way over to the island country during the 1910's, and thereafter Australian audiences readily consumed American jazz records and Australian musicians interpreted American jazz, soul and R&B songs. By the 1970's, Australian soul became its own sub-genre, led by the late Australian soul singer Renee Geyer.

Geyer's spirit emanates the contemporary soul scene that currently thrives in Australia, featuring superstars Hiatus Kaiyote and other notables such as The Bamboos. Melbourne-based soul singer Ella Thompson, who has collaborated with The Bamboos, has developed her sound with both feet planted firmly in this tradition, and her debut album for UK imprint Mr. Bongo, Triumph and Sadness, is a delightful take on the contemporary Australian soul revival, full of catchy tunes that could have easily originated from either the Land Down Under or Hitsville, USA.

Following in the footsteps of dearly departed soul revivalists Sharon Jones and Amy Winehouse (though perhaps without her predecessors' rougher edges or grit), Triumph and Sadness is very much a pop record but with a sophistication that comes from its historical perspective. The album consists of original songs co-written by Thompson and Australian trumpeter/composer Liam McGorry, who also performs in like-minded band Temporary Blessings. Triumph and Sadness features Lachlan Stuckey on guitar, Jethro Curtin on organ/keyboards, and Hudson Whitlock on drums/percussion, each of whom is a member of the beloved Australian jazz-funk outfit Surprise Chef (Whitlock also serves as drummer for instrumental soul group Karate Boogaloo).

Geyer was a formative influence on Thompson, and in fact became Thompson's vocal teacher during Thompson's teenage years. Geyer's inspiration is all over Triumph and Sadness, and the album's sound is reminiscent of the early 2000's records released by Brooklyn-based funk/soul revival imprint Daptone Records (which was Jones' label, and the similarities are unsurprising given that Triumph and Sadness was mixed by Daptone-affiliated engineer Wayne Gordon). However, ultimately, the record isn't simply a revivalist exercise; the music boasts a modern sensibility that successfully, and logically, bridges two eras.

The album begins with "Promise to Keep," a statement of purpose, featuring Stuckey's guitar riffing and a mid-tempo Stuckey beat. Thompson's voice is romantic and heartfelt, often falls into falsetto, and, taking a cue from 1960's girl groups, is backed by an arrangement of supporting voices.

"My Weakness" is a horn-driven, emotional ballad. Thompson's voice is bluesy and expressive, and she harmonizes with her backup singers beautifully. Stuckey contributes another catchy guitar riff on "Beloved," effortlessly blending with Curtin's synthesized keys, and once again featuring the album's horn section.

Thompson closes the collection with "When I Fall," a classic R&B ballad. As with the rest of the songs, Thompson's vocals are open, honest, and demonstrative. The song deals with serious themes that all people have in common—life's ups and downs, the complications of survival—but nevertheless ends the album with an optimistic and uplifting feeling.