Just in case it has not transpired before, I am a hopeless sucker for spoken word and jazz poetry. Which is how this debut single by the South African artist, Miriam Altman, begins. Echoing some of the best songs by Ani DiFranco (the live version of “Self Evident” comes to mind), this steamy tune grabbed my attention from the very first listen. “The Train” brilliantly blends contemporary jazz with soul and African storytelling. It feels fresh, cool, and different at the same time.
Packed with smart metaphors, “The Train” offers more than just music. It is a riddle disguised as a fusion of jazz and African chants. Beautiful idea and a very captivating concept which plays with your imagination from the very start. Close your eyes and you will see yourself at a train station, on a crowded platform during the rush hour. Feeling strangely relaxed, yet impatient and tense. “Still waiting for that train driving promises back to life”, go the lyrics and the empty rail tracks, still the imaginary ones, feel like everything that’s missing in your life. This is usually the moment when I get shivers down my spine.
Oh wait, here they come.
“The Train” is a preview of Miriam’s debut album, “The Butterfly Project”, which is set for release in August this year. It is going to be a busy summer and autumn for me, but I’m up for the “challenge”. Music as good as this does not come every day.
Photo: Press release
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