Terri Lyne Carrington ‎– The Mosaic Project: Love and Soul (2011)

1 	Transformation	5:33
2 	I Got Lost In His Arms	4:58
3 	Michelle	6:53
4 	Magic And Music	3:45
5 	Echo	7:14
6 	Simply Beautiful	4:30
7 	Unconditional Love	5:56
8 	Wistful		4:48
9 	Crayola		4:29
10 	Soul Talk	5:56
11 	Mosaic Triad	5:59
12 	Insomniac	5:13
13 	Show Me A Sign		2:28
14 	Sisters On The Rise (A Transformation)	3:59

Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Tineke Postma
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Soprano Saxophone – Anat Cohen
Drums, Percussion [Additional] – Terri Lyne Carrington
Flute – Hailey Niswanger
Guitar – Linda Taylor
Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Effects – Ingrid Jensen
Violin – Chia-Yin Carol Ma
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Percussion – Sheila E.
Piano, Keyboards – Geri Allen, Patrice Rushen, Helen Sung
Voice – Nona Hendryx, Gretchen Parlato, Terri Lyne Carrington, Dianne Reeves,
 Cassandra Wilson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carmen Lundy, Shea Rose
Bass – Mimi Jones
Bass, Voice – Esperanza Spalding

Discussing The Mosaic Project, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington explained: "There's one part of me that's kind of a jazz head who likes complex, thought-provoking melodies and harmonies, and then there's another part of me that really likes funk and pop and things that are accessible." Of course, the two are not mutually exclusive, and Carrington balances them with exciting results on this 2011 release. The Mosaic Project has one foot in the intellect and complexity of post-bop and the other in the soulful, groove-oriented funkiness of R&B; both are important parts of the equation for Carrington, who is joined by an impressive list of guest vocalists that includes Cassandra Wilson, Dianne Reeves, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Nona Hendryx (of Labelle fame), Esperanza Spaulding, and Gretchen Parlato. Although The Mosaic Project has plenty of soul appeal, that doesn't mean that Carrington tones down the improvisation factor or offers note-for-note covers; interpretation, not emulation, is the rule on imaginative versions of the Beatles' "My Michelle," Hendryx's "Transformation," and Al Green's "Simply Beautiful," all of which Carrington successfully pulls into the jazz realm. Those who are familiar with Hendryx's original 1983 recording of "Transformation" (which combined funk and new wave) will be surprised to hear how well the song works as post-bop on Carrington's very different version (which also features Hendryx). Meanwhile, Parlato is featured on an R&B-ish interpretation of Irving Berlin's "I Got Lost in His Arms," and Spaulding has a delightfully capricious spot on her own "Crayola." The Mosaic Project also contains several Carrington originals, one of which is "Magic and Music" (a poignant tribute to soul icon Teena Marie, who was only 54 when she died unexpectedly on December 26, 2010). "Magic and Music" never mentions the Ivory Queen of Soul by name, but Marie's fans will have no problem figuring out that it is about her (for one thing, Carrington's lyrics describe the singer as "wild and peaceful", which was the title of Marie's Rick James-produced debut album of 1979). The Mosaic Project is not recommended to jazz purists, but for those who like their jazz laced with big doses of R&B, there is much to savor on this risk-taking album. ---Alex Henderson, AllMusic Review

Historically, female artists have not gotten the props they've deserved in jazz's male-dominated environment. Though imperfect, things have improved, thanks in part to the efforts of Billie Holiday, Mary Lou Williams, Marian McPartland, and other matriarchs who helped pave the way for a current generation of stellar voices as assembled in drummer/composer Terri Lyne Carrington's exceptional The Mosaic Project.

Carrington's world-class drumming equals anyone in the music business, enriching recordings and performances from the great Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter to the eclectic sounds of guitarist Nguyen Le, while finding time to lead her own bands and music. Without a doubt, this project is her most ambitious work to date, an arduous yet rewarding labor of love that's elevated by her leadership of an all-star cast of female musicians and singers.

The opening "Transformation" sets the vibe, with its groove intellect and smoky vocals from legendary soul singer Nona Hendryx. It's followed with more funky goodness, a very unique take on Irving Berlin's "I Get Lost in His Arms," sung by one of jazz's new stars, Gretchen Parlato. There's even more to enjoy with the up-tempo remake of The Beatles' ballad "Michelle," as hard-swinging jazz melds with urban funkiness, pumped by riveting solos from pianist Geri Allen, trumpeter Ingrid Jensen, and saxophonist Tineke Postma.

Like a mosaic the fourteen tracks are smaller pictures of Carrington's broader image, one that knows jazz's ancestry but speaks fluently of haunting social issues in "Echo," via spoken words from activist Angela Davis, along with Dianne Reeves adding her always classy singing. Add the heartfelt longing of "Show Me a Sign" (written by singer Carmen Lundy) and the hip hop swagger of "On The Rise (A Transformation)," featuring up-and-coming singer Shea Rose, and the set represents a continuum of sound and voice from the past, present and future.

With a roster that includes the star power of percussionist Sheila E and pianist Patrice Rushen, the talent is exhaustive and varied with memorable tracks such as Cassandra Wilson's sensual ruminations of Al Green's 1972 hit, "Simply Beautiful," the whimsical antics of "Crayola," written and performed by Grammy Award-winning bassist/singer Esperanza Spalding and featuring Helen Sung's lissome keyboards, and Carrington's own complex rock/jazz piece, "Mosaic Triad."

The Mosaic Project has no ulterior motive to show that women can do the jazz gig as well as men. That's already been proven time and again. Instead, it is a joyous celebration of outstanding female artists; a clear view of what currently exists and a hint of what's on the horizon. ---Mark F. Turner, allaboutjazz.com

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