To introduce this extraordinary project it feels right to lead with Ambrose Akinmusire’s own words about the project:
“This album is about the fears and struggles I personally face, as well as those many Black men endure: colorism, erasure, and the question of who gets to speak for my community, and why. There’s also the constant negotiation of what happens when I don’t conform to certain expectations or when I choose to reject those imposed on me. These are the complexities I navigate daily. When I made this album, I was thinking about others who face these same struggles, I’m always considering who I represent—on all levels, in all the roles I play within my various communities. It’s about understanding the weight of those roles and the responsibility that comes with them.”
Although the year is but a month old I can say with some confidence that Honey From a Winter Stone is one of the standout releases of 2025. Artistically it feels in a category ( well, beyond category) all of its own. Ambrose Akinmusire is unquestionably one of the finest, technical trumpet players of this age, and certainly when he plays on the session it’s spellbinding. However it’s his continuing, restless pursuit of new musical ways and forms in which to tell stories that is what makes him unique. From his 2010 Blue Note debut – When The Heart Emerges Glistening – it was clear that here was a composer, arranger and player who conceived of music creation in a novel way. Since then Akinmusire has routinely defied any expectations that his music might follow a predictable path. Instead he’s deftly moved from wowing jazz audiences to diving deep in to both classical and Hip Hop worlds. Honey From a Winter Stone benefits from all of that immersion and study and drops like nothing you’ve heard before and bereft of cliche.
Central to much of the album is the voice of improvising vocalist Kokayi – an extraordinary spoken word artist who I saw steal the show with Steve Coleman’s Five Elements a few years back. Kokayi improvises, stream of consciousness lyrics based on stories told by Akinmusire and the conversations they had whilst making the album.”Kokayi’s approach is pure improvisation, ensuring each performance is unique. I don’t simply view him as a rapper—he’s an instrument in his own right. The way he interacts with rhythm, rapping in harmony with the chords, brings a dynamic and profound quality to the music every time.”, says Akinmusire. Chiquitamagic plays synths, with the brilliant Justin Brown on drums alongside the Mivos String Quartet.
Ambrose Akinmusire describes the album as a “self-portrait” and listening to it feels like being inside someone’s thoughts. It’s a remarkable work.
This is our Album Of The Week on One Jazz w/c Monday 3rd February 2025.