not just a tribute to Brooklyn’s musical heritage but a statement of her place within it, blending the past with her own exceptional voice.
Switch Hit Records
Nikara Warren – Vibraphone, Vocals, Synthesizers: Craig Hill – Tenor Saxophone; Alonzo Demetrius – Trumpet; Hailey Niswanger – Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Saxophones, Flute; Corey Sanchez – Electric and Acoustic Guitars; Axel Tosca – Piano, Rhodes, Keyboards, Organ, Synthesizers; Parker McAllister – Electrice Bass; David Frazier Jr. – Drums, SPD-SX Sampling Pad
SPECIAL GUESTS: Kenny Barron – Piano; Tamir Shmerling – Bass; EJ Strickland – Drums (on ‘Stratford Penthouse’)
Nikara Presents Black Wall Street’s album THE QUEEN OF KINGS COUNTY is s an homage to the spirit of Brooklyn, New York, and to Nikara Warren’s deep-rooted connection to her hometown.
THE QUEEN OF KINGS COUNTY blends original compositions and unique arrangements, drawing from Brooklyn’s Caribbean heritage while honoring legendary icons like Marvin Gaye, Nina Simone, and Curtis Mayfield who once called the borough home. “Kings County” refers to the county that makes up Brooklyn, and “Queen” lets us know Warren’s feelings about her connection to, and her love for this great city.
Nikara Warren is a vibraphonist, composer, arranger, and educator with a knack for blending jazz, hip-hop, neo-soul, Afro-Latino and Afro-Caribbean grooves into something all her own. She graduated from Berklee College of Music, was part of the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, and has played with some very talented musicians including her grandfather, pianist Kenny Barron, as well as bassist John Patitucci, flutist Anne Drummond, and percussionist Valtinho Anastacio.
I love the percussive rhythms from drummer David Frazier Jr. and bass man Parker McAllister on Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues,” intense, explosive, yet perfectly controlled. The relaxed, elegantly simple vibes lines float over a ridiculously cool saxophone Latin soul groove, with trumpeter Alonzo Demetrius playing brilliantly. Pianist Axel Tosca’s comping is gorgeous, laying a subtle foundation before breaking out into a righteous solo.
‘Eastern Parkway’ is funky soul with that booming electric bass bouncing off everything in its path. While I was thinking about Bobby Womack guitarist Corey Sanchez grabbed my ear and wouldn’t let go. This is a powerhouse band, and while Warren’s vibes take center stage, she’s surrounded herself with a dream team.
‘Stratford Penthouse’ is a love letter to her childhood home on Stratford Road. Deep resonant bass lines, followed by melodic vibraphone lines, shuffling drums, shimmering cymbals and pleasant memories. Piano, Vibes, they’re in sync, trumpet and sax can easily blow us away with what they can do, but they’re letting Nikara Warren and Kenny Barron show off what they want to do together.
The final track on the album is Warren’s stunning take on Nina Simone’s version of “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood.” I was a fan of Eric Burdon and The Animals, and I still like their raspy version. It wasn’t until later that I heard Simone’s rendition, but what Warren does with this track is truly remarkable. Her voice is beautiful, but it’s the way she manipulates each word,
drawing out every bit of emotion. Take “good,” it’s almost crushed under the weight of her delivery, stripped of its usual meaning, as if she’s pressing out every ounce of its goodness. She plays with tempo and dynamics, sounding breathy at times, and creating one of the best moments on THE QUEEN OF KINGS COUNTY.
Nikara Warren’s THE QUEEN OF KINGS COUNTY is not just a tribute to Brooklyn’s musical heritage but a statement of her place within it, blending the past with her own exceptional voice.
