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 Is
Jazz/ Hip-Hop the Newest Sound of Carnival ?
by Willie
Clark, Editor
March 12,
2005......New Orleans, Louisiana During the last NOMTOC
parade, I was fortunate enough to meet up with two extremely talented men,
who all indications point too, are on the verge of changing the way we listen to Mardi
Gras songs. They are about too, if they already haven't, change the very style
the Carnival songs were originally written in. I know that seems like a bold statement, but when you hear this new sound,
you' will no longer think it is.
They're known
as Arden Lo, a Jazz Musician by trade, who recently made it back to his home
town, of New Orleans and his first cousin, Errol Jackson, better known
in the hood, as B.I.F.F.,
which stands for Black is Fabulous Forever. The rapper artist, isn't much of a
man for words. When he speaks, however, you want to listen. You strain to listen
to every syllable that falls off his lips, because he is the mystery here as
well as Arden Lo.
"The
idea of this CD, came from Arden," syas Erroll, "He plays a different
sort of Jazz, a style really all his own." He's right!
Arden has literally
perfected the art of being the accompanying background sound in jazz when it accents a
vocal impression. The sound is reminiscent of the old style jazz
tunes during the count bass cee band era. That sound with a muted trumpet is
very soothing to the ear, but there in lies the rub.
The jazz
helps those of us out there, and there are many, that hate rap, or very the very least, tolerate it's
presence. This jazz beat enable this group of people, to
almost like it, when our subject is covered, no matter what it is wrapped in. I found myself humming this tune
going home after an entire day of NOMTOC and listening to other more traditional
songs. For that song to hold on after that onslaught said that I really liked
the song well past my conscience side. Arden Lo had gotten into my head!
"I love
me sum Mardi Gras", is the unintentional hit, on this CD, and is the song
to which I am referring by the duet. However this entire CD in not a single hit
wonder, as the #1 in order is another tune that will gave you as well. "Ooh
nah nay" ( 4:04), is very reminiscent of the Indian chants that you hear on
the corner during the few times each season when the Mardi Gras Indians
start their annual trek during St. Joseph's night. It has a fascination
about it that makes you long for the calls of the Indians and abeit the call of
New Orleans and home.
If you
haven't gotten this CD yet, get it, you can thank me come Mardi Gras.
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