The CD Afrika! Afrika! by Quartette Indigo is all about strings and the interpretation of the blues, jazz standards and originals by the leader of the group, Akua Dixon. Ms. Dixon’s originals are a blend of many different genres, classical, spiritual, jazz and blues, the music swings and sounds fresh and vibrant. The musicians who make up the string quartet are highly skilled, classically trained jazz improvisers that put heart and soul into their playing.
The recording features twelve tracks, four originals by Akua Dixon and the rest of the songs - a mix of little known tunes like "Fizz Water," by E. Blake, a 1914 Ragtime composition that is resurrected and given new life. Sounding as a small orchestra with tuba, trombone, piano, and a string section, this number really cooks, considering all these sounds are created by four string players, miraculous. Some well known songs like "So What" by M. Davis and "Song For My Father" by H. Silver, an incredibly creative, sensitive and appealing take on this wonderfully enchanting melody.
There are a lot of great songs on the recording Afrika! Afrika! the songs that swing the hardest are the songs that provide the most excitement, songs that slow down and explore the melody with gorgeous phrasing and songs that make you thoughtful, relaxed and pleased, a fantastic string quartet playing fantastic music in a manner that is completely enticing and engaging. More! That’s what comes to mind after the final song, "Akua’s Blues."
