CARIB PRESS - Albums In Review by Justine Ketola (May-June 2005)
http://www.CaribPress.com
Two veterans of the L.A. music scene, Anna Fisher, the masterful oboist and Jawge Hughes, Sr., the accomplished keyboardist, programmer and engineer, collaborate together on this well structured set. Musicians also featured on this album are Tony Chin, Fully Fullwood, Dale Hauskins, Marcia Higgs, Odel Johnson, and Lesterfari.
There are elements of jazz, soca, R&B, and steel pan keyboard sounds with a delicate seasoning of tasteful bells and other unique reggae keyboard elements. Several songs have dub versions which serve as gentle reminders of the companion songs heard earlier in the set.
The lead tracks, a bright cover of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father" and Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" (and its Spanish version sung by Anna) have a smooth Jazz feel.
St. Thomas-native Jawge contributes original writing on the title track and then moves into a reggae vibe with "Jamaica" which has a sort of melancholy energy to it.
The sound of the oboe lends itself to this feeling and evokes emotions of lands far away.
Anna Fisher: Press
Anna Fisher and Jawge Hughes - she of the reggae oboe and he who balances a solo career with keyboard duties in the Fully Fullwood band - are paired on the very interesting Yin Yang (Molin Music) with guests including the aforementioned Fully Fullwood, Tony Chin, Marcia Higgs, Lesterfari, Dale Hauskins, and Odel Johnson.
Mainly an instrumental release featuring Anna's jazzy leads and Jawge's keys and programming the guests offer spicy solos like Marcia's "Hip Hop Hooray Oh" with Tony Chin's distinctive guitar in particular featured on about half the tracks. Cornerstone cuts include instrumental and vocal versions of Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now" with Anna doing the vocal as well as oboe honors (the song is also delivered in Espanol as "Puedo Ver Claro"), and instrumental "Life In The Arena" reworking a foundational Jamaican riddim, original riddims from Jawge and a tasty rendering of Horace Silver's "Song For My Father." A very pleasurable outing featuring some stalwarts of the L.A. reggae scene. - Chuck Foster THE BEAT MAGAZINE
Gentle reggae with a strong message
Renaissance in Formation
Anna Fisher
Molin Music
Review by Norm Dixon
Many musicians dabble in support for “worthy causes”. Some are genuinely committed, many others do it for the marketing benefits. Few really devote themselves to an issue to the extent that it defines their music. Anna Fisher is one of those few.
Fisher uses her gentle -- dare I say, “easy listening” -- reggae to educate about domestic violence and offer encouragement to survivors. While her instruments -- the oboe and English horn -- are not those usually associated with the music made famous by Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, the sentiments Fisher drives home are no less intense and sincere.
In “Break the Silence -- Stop the Violence”, Fisher appeals to the listener to understand the difficult situation women in violent relationships face: “The question isn't `Why does she stay?'/ But `How can she flee?'/ Unless you've been the victim/ Of power and control/ You may not ever sympathise/ With the ones who will not go .../ But those who leave run the greatest risk/ Of dying on the floor.”
Fisher also offers advice to survivors: “If you find yourself in that same dark hole .../ Find someone to talk to/ A friend you trust/ Anyone who believes in you/ You mustn't be ashamed/ Call a crisis shelter/ Don't risk your life!”
Fisher knows something about the subject. In 1992, she fled, with her children, from a violent partner. She took a new name, fearing her husband would kill her if he discovered her whereabouts. For a time she lived in homeless shelters. To this day, Fisher does not reveal where she lives. The experience led her to devote her music to the plight of battered women.
Fisher spends a lot of time playing benefits throughout the US for groups that tackle domestic violence and violence within the community and promote women's rights. She participates in workshops to raise awareness about domestic violence, promotes music education in schools and advocates the use of music to help bring social change.
The album contains a number of instrumental tracks that highlight Fisher's versatility and reggae's universal appeal. There is also a lovely version of Carole King's “You've Got a Friend” (a Spanish-language version is also available).
If you like your music on the mellower end of the spectrum, but with a message that is strong and necessary, then Fisher's album is worth a listen.
From: Cultural Dissent, Green Left Weekly issue #356 14 April 1999.
From: Cultural Dissent
GLW issue #356 - 14 April 1999:
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absolutly awesome album
author: Chris Everett
With this album I love the way Anna blends the oboe into the Reggae rhythm making it a awesome sound each track of this cd compliments each other good music for our listening pleasure.
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Smooth Reggae Jazz!!! Even with a little steel drum - Cool, man!!!
author: Etienne A. Gibbs
This is the first time I recall hearing your music. Love it! Smooth Reggae Jazz!!! Even with a little steel drum - Cool, man!!!
Listening to your cool music makes me regret that I didn't study music in school. Anyhow, no big lost as long as I have friends like you creating such cool music!
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author: Beatriz Stacy Silva
What can I say,I love to hear this CD since I was in 5th grade,now I am 18 years old.She was my teacher and she is the best teacher I ever had.