Douyé | The Golden Sèkèrè Review

The Golden Sèkèrè: Douyé’s Sublime Ode to Jazz Standards Through a Nigerian Lens

by Illiam Sebitz

“Repetition sometimes takes the surprise out of depth.” Those of us entrenched in the vocal jazz genre know this sentiment all too well. For how many renditions of “My Funny Valentine” can one truly bear before the element of surprise vanishes, right? The answer: just one more—provided it’s from Douyé’s latest offering, The Golden Sèkèrè.

The Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based Douyé, on her fifth studio album, executes a daring experiment: merging the storytelling architecture of American jazz standards with the rhythmic layers of her African heritage. The result is fourteen tracks of compelling vocal artistry, designed for both the casual listener and the dissecting ear of the expert.

Douyé’s sumptuous, dark-roasted timbre delivers each track with an intimacy that speaks not just to vocal technique but to spiritual connection. Inspired by the polymath Fela Sowande and featuring contributions from a stellar line-up—including trumpeter Sean Jones and guitarist Lionel Loueke—the album defies expectations at every turn.

Starting with the opening track, “Cherokee,” Douyé’s intent is clear. A canvas of African percussion serves as the backdrop for her voice and Jones’s trumpet. Douyé keeps her phrasing straightforward, allowing the interwoven rhythmic cadences to breathe life into the tune. It’s a glorious departure from the over-embellished versions we’ve often heard.

On “Speak Low,” Douyé takes full command of the haunting, moody bassline with a lyrical interpretation that is both novel and authentic. The intersection of African drums and jazz harmonics is almost cinematic in scope.

Douyé’s delicate, almost ethereal interpretation of “The Very Thought of You” showcases her capacity for lyrical sincerity and thematic fidelity. There’s a Fela Sowande-inspired approach here, as she makes a minimalistic melodic arrangement feel expansive.

For vocal purists, “My Funny Valentine” is a revelation. Douyé’s rhythmic variance, when juxtaposed against Sean Jones’s mute trumpet, transforms the old standard into an auditory experience filled with new contours. It also proves Douyé’s prowess in scatting—a technique that, in the wrong hands, often feels gratuitous but here feels integral.

Douyé revisits this Cole Porter gem twice on the album, first with a pulsating big band arrangement that’s a sonic homage to Fela Kuti and Frank Sinatra, and finally, as a reflective finale tinged with Palm Wine musical elements.

In “Fly Me to The Moon,” Lionel Loueke’s guitar dances around Douyé’s voice, forming a complex tapestry of rhythms and timbres that transcends the song’s familiar contour.

“It Don’t Mean A Thing” epitomizes what I like to call rhythmic alchemy. Douyé melds the casual sway of Nigerian grooves in the song’s A-section with the hard-bitten swing of jazz’s B-section. The result is a fine crafting of an ensemble that leaves the jazz purist both intrigued and mesmerized. It’s as if Duke Ellington took a scenic detour through Lagos.

“Key Largo” is a cornucopia of sonic colors bursting forth as Douyé takes us through this Latin Jazz journey. The arrangement showcases the full expressive palette of the eleven-piece ensemble, yet never detracts from Douyé’s poignant vocal artistry. It’s an emotional and musical chiaroscuro that leaves the listener spellbound.

The Golden Sèkèrè is a collection of songs where Douyé beautifully marries her African musical lineage with the technical mastery required for jazz standards. Douyé infuse each note, each phrase, and each song with a unique character. It’s a reminder of the evocative power of the human voice, replete with all its microtonal inflections, dynamic nuances, and emotive possibilities. This is an aural journey across continents, genres, and emotions that reverberates through diverse musical landscapes.

The Golden Sèkèrè

Release Date: July 7, 2023

Label: Rhombus Records

About the author

Illiam Sebitz

Born and raised in a picturesque European village, my fondness for music began during my formative years, when the charismatic tones of the recorder first filled the halls of my primary school. This early fascination escalated into my lifelong pursuit of embracing the melodious charm of the flute; I have even spent time refining my skills at a music conservatoire. As a seasoned music connoisseur, I find myself captivated by the multifaceted world of music. I enjoy writing music reviews to better enable me to explore genres as diverse as world, rock, jazz, classical, folk, and film music, each offering a unique auditory journey that enriches my life and intellect.

In my spare moments, you'll likely find me meticulously crafting my latest woodworking project, sharpening my skills with flute etudes, or inventing tales of fantasy through the art of creative writing. My eclectic interests and expertise harmonize to create a symphony of passion and curiosity that resonates within every aspect of my life as a music enthusiast.