We mentioned to you earlier that 2024 was starting to shape up nicely with fantastic upcoming releases. Well, here’s one more exciting new album that you should definitely add to your hotly anticipated list. Composer, arranger and alto saxophonist Cassie Kinoshi announces a new album with her ensemble seed. The album – titled gratitude – features Kinoshi and her band alongside turntablist NikNak and the London Contemporary Orchestra.
Ahead of its release via Chicago label International Anthem on 22nd March, Kinoshi has shared two pieces of music from the album. The first two movements, “i” and “ii”, beautifully represent the range of Kinoshi’s suite. They encompass both the introduction and the early climaxes, painting a vibrant picture of Kinoshi’s creative process. Shirley Tetteh’s electric guitar solo also serves as a standout feature in the second movement. Both pieces are wonderful with their patient progress, excellently executed movements, and numerous shifts taking place exactly when you need them.
Kinoshi says: “gratitude was written as a means of guiding my own healing. My mother told me that she keeps a gratitude book where she writes one thing, no matter how big or small, every day that helps to re-focus her mind on practicing gratitude. The examples that she gave were seeing the flowers that she’d recently planted in her garden bloom and a kaleidoscope of butterflies that she saw flitting about a tree in her garden.
On March 7th, Kinoshi will perform gratitude at the renowned Barbican Centre in London. This event is even more special because it includes new musical pieces commissioned by Serious for International Women’s Day. Grab a ticket here.
Press play and be totally captivated when you listen to “gratitude: movements i & ii”. The only thing is, you’ll find yourself craving for more!
