Neighborhoods
Label: Atlantic
Media: CD
Format: Album
WorkNameSort: Neighborhoods
Full of quirky narratives, mellow, semijagged riffs and an overall bucolic vibe, Olu Dara’s “Neighborhoods” seems like a slice of life from his Natchez, Miss., roots filtered through New York’s East Village. At times it’s a little African, especially in the lyrics that seem like parables. At times it’s a little bit funky. But mostly this work is rooted in the blues, a latter-day Lightnin’ Hopkins. Dara is the father of rapper Nas, and although his career has spanned some 35 years (mostly playing free-jazz trumpet), he never recorded as a leader until his late 50s.
Dr. John and Cassandra Wilson each make guest appearances, but in very unobtrusive ways. This recording is Olu Dara up front and natural.
This article appears in Apr 4-10, 2001.