Afro-French-Cuban twin sister duo Ibeyi released their third album Spell 31 back in May. The title is a reference to a passage in the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which is quoted within the album's soundscape.
On 'Lavender and Red Roses' they perform three part harmonies with Walsall superstar Jorja Smith and the effect is stunningly good. Minimal beats and subtle instrumentation serve to provide a bed for the vocals, which are very much the star of the show here. Lyrically, it seems to be about the anguish and powerlessness that comes from trying (and failing) to save a loved one from an indeterminate darkness while knowing that, sooner or later, you will have to cut the chord.
That Smith's vocals blend and weave so seamlessly with those of Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz is at the heart of the tracks success. It would be nice to hear future collaborations between the three of them in the future, either as an Ibeyi release or as a Jorja Smith release, but independently and together, all three artists are always worth a listen.
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