Cecile Salvant McLorin - Oh Snap - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

2023 . Mélusine features a mix of five originals and interpretations of nine songs, dating as far back as the twelfth century, mostly sung in French along with Occitan, English, and Haitian Kreyòl. Mélusine follows last year's tag debut, Ghost Song, which has received two Grammy nominations and tremendous critical praise, including spots on best albums of 2022 lists from the New York Times and NPR, among others. The new album's songs tell the story of the European folkloric legend of Mélusine, a woman who turns into a half-snake each Saturday as a result of a childhood curse by her mother. Mélusine later agrees to marry Raymondin on the condition that he never see her on Saturdays. He agrees but is ultimately convinced by his brother to break his promise, piercing his wife's door with his sword and finding her naked in the bath, half snake, half woman. When she catches him spying on her, she turns into a dragon and flies out the window, only to reappear every time one of her descendants is on their deathbed. Salvant, whose parents are French and Haitian, says Mélusine is also Inchpartly about that feeling of being a hybrid, a mixture of different cultures, which I've experienced not only as the American-born child of two first generation immigrants, but as someone raised in a family that is racially mixed, from several different countries, with different languages spoken in the home. Inch

Handsome Jack - Barnburners! [COMPACT DISCS] date 02/20/2026

'For One to Love' includes five original songs as well as Burt Bacharach's 'Wives and Lovers,' and continues to showcase her deep appreciation of the great Bessie Smith with a take on 'What's The Matter Now.' She also sings in French on a song by French singer Barbara from 1965 called 'Le Mal de Vivre'. McLorin Salvant is superbly supported in her vision by a world-class group of musicians who share her values and play a key role in shaping each performance into an artistic statement. There are no studio tricks or subterfuge here. For One To Love is truly the creation of a singular and unique creative. We present to you with Cecile, the second record in her young and amazing career.