Martha D Lewis’ latest album marks a return to song writing in her 20 year creative career. The songs reflect the world around us, touching on angst, loss off faith, healing and hope. Recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios, Lewis’ sixth album sees her and band brewing up a sound as complex as today, twisting together blues, electronica, reggae and rock all glimpsed through a jazz club lens. Through a long career, like many, Martha has evolved and reinvented herself as the muse and material has demanded with this latest chapter offering commentary on today informed by rich musical experience.
“A.I Man” opens with distant train noise, and atmospheric bass and piano that’s Modern Jazz meets suspense movie soundtrack. Martha’s vocal is down in the mix and sits somewhere between Smooth Jazz and Soul, but the lyrics offer a dystopian vision of artificial intelligence, that is more Hawkwind or 70s Sci Fi Prog Rock. There is a wonderful tension between the sweet chorus and touch of edge in the verses in this unusual but captivating first track. “Beneath The Surface” is closer to a traditional blues, dealing with the mysteries of love. Nick Cohen’s Bass, interesting on track one is rock solid with Ian Matthew’s drums, creating a taut backing. Lewis’ vocal skips and, slithers over the top, as sinister and beguiling as Grace Jones when the track drifts into a slippery dub like vibe. “In Between” carries on that tense atmosphere perfectly. Like Beth Gibbons and Portishead, Martha Lewis brings contemporary edge and a sense of danger to her music. This is the soundtrack to an Urban late night drive, not a smooth soulful torch song. Lyrics are raw and real on tracks like “What If” with its killer bass line and fine guitar. Alex Wilson’s piano on “Liars Club” is as ethereal and limpid as any trendy Scandinavian trio, while Martha’s vocal and lyric is darker, questioning everything. Questioning continues on the very relevant and uncomfortable “Liars Club”, band and singer really rock out on this one. Like Terry Callier, on “Its Not Right” Lewis takes uncomfortable subject’sv and makes an emotional but beautiful song. “Grain Of Sand” is another soulful love song, full of real life regret and loss. “Dawn” is a late night metaphorical song with some beautiful piano from Aidan Glover. “Breakfast” is funky blues, diary like lyrics are delivered over a tight grove, moving perfectly from the personal to the spiritual with an ear worm chorus.
ALL THAT YOU SEE is an expansive and engaging album put together by an interesting musician, singer and songwriter with a lot to say and an interesting way of doing it.
Marc Higgins 17/04/22
Time Past and Time Passing 