Written on assignment for Women in Jazz South Florida, published Spring 2021

As one of the oldest instruments on earth, the harp's tales go back to the biblical court of King Saul, who would call on the warrior David, who would become the King of Israel, to play to comfort his angst and sorrow. Imagine. A simple string instrument standing through millenniums of empires and wars still delivering its simple purpose, to comfort and heal.

As I listened to Harpist and multi-instrumentalist Radha Botofasina’s music catalog, I became convinced that she has traveled through time and space in the realm of the soul or the invisible. Mystical sounds do not just happen; they occur from a depth of journey or by listening to whispers that carry messages about finding purpose, arguably human being’s most extraordinary quest.

How she found herself in the embrace of the late and great Alice Coltrane is one important part of the story. It was Alice who presented her with the harp, and the rest is music history. How Radha came to discover and mature her creativity is the lore of warriors. She created a musical sphere all her own. Her unfolding as an artist and musician guided by both grief and grace, and in her case, the letter “G,” is not gratuitous, for her melodic harp pluck comes from the Gods of benevolence and mercy.

The mysteries of the unseen realm manifest themselves in all of Botofasina’s music. She is a David, a warrior of the courts of men and women who are called from the heavens to play and help calm us, surrender our inner furies, and enter a space of self-acceptance.

Equally masterful is her voice. I bend in particular to her albums “Ambient Harp Meditation Music” and “The Spirituals.” Listen to “Calvary,” “Here’s One,” “Swing Low,” Botofasina’s clear, harmonious, and amply flexible vocal cords, brings you in to her sincere guttural foundation so forgiving of a world gone awry it makes you cry.

The “Ambient Harp Mediation Music” album is enough to carry you through her sway in a court filled with cacophonous impostors of faith. Softness and strength might not intuitively go together, and yet “Kindred Spirits, “Keshava’s Lullaby,” and “School of Dolphins” remind you of the truth that the spirit world is more powerful than the mightiest of might.

Her musical achievements prove the real raison d’être or pinnacle of art and creation's importance—to help humanity heal and understand itself. The intention is so pure it eludes many, but the fact remains that music can prepare us for redemption. The practical world has broken the spirit and wherewithal of many. There is so much depravity, despair, and noise it can be hard to find the space and sounds that anchor us to humanity.

Seek, and you shall find say the scriptures, and in Radha Botofasina, her devoted and blessed musical path reminds us that the one true court, is Only God.

Frank Colón is the JLO male counterpart, and he has a one-up on her because he’s a couple of decks ahead. This man is fierce, puts us all to shame really, and I mean us that have allowed our “let’s get physical” thing go by the wayside. I included (Though I’m at it again). He’s a martial arts master, a scuba diver, which I did not know, I found out this week during our back-and-forth correspondence from his home in Brazil. He’s an American-Puerto Rican-Brazilian hybrid with an incredibly lush and practiced musical career. An “A” echelon percussionist, or what I call a beast. 

I know Frank Colón through his sister for another mother, Angie Garcia, who is my second mother and a part of my Dad’s career since the beginning. He would agree with me when I say that Angie is, at least, a matter for a 60 chapter book. LOL! And of course, Frank and Danny hold only mutual respect for one another.

Frank has played with some of the baddest music acts out there in the world— The Manhattan Transfers, Harry Belafonte, Tania Maria, Milton Nacimiento, Gato Barbieri, Herbie Hancock, to name a few. 

His latest music project Latin Lounge came to me at the right time, he first shared the video to Whales of Bahia, and I was mesmerized. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. The entire album is crisp, clear, assuaging, sexy, elongated in tasteful vibrations like thick savory honey coming down to the spoon. 

If only Frank could come to New York to play a gig, but alas, Brazil is burning and suffering, and the world is in a deadlock for international travel. Since we're sheltered in place, I picked up some wine, put on my earphones, and went inside Latin Lounge.

Emerald Coast has this nostalgic flute and sway that makes me miss the live gigs so much. I would love to sit through a live Latin Lounge date at some spot, which makes me miss my dear friend Ned Sublett, the perfect mate for live gigs. Holler to me if you agree. 

In Easy Does It, I’m reminded of Stevie Wonder for some reason. Sexy this tune, perfect for lovers or sundown time after an exhausting day. The trumpet is fucking fierce here, with bass to die for, and the percussion just so blended right. Get ready for a Tanquerey and tonic with a dash of bitters in Summer Cocktail, un chin de cha-cha-cha with an up spice because of the harmonica—lindo, lindo, lindo. All around the piano, keyboards fuckin’ rock. 

Let’s Just Go opens with a bass so beautiful and steady that makes the tune open up, perfect for a road trip, or thinking about what you’ve left behind. Samba Gitano makes me cry, the violinist Rapaehl Batista, que artista. Wow. Fined tuned is an understatement, otro bestia. And then there’s Frank at it with vocals and percussion nailing that sound the world has come to know as Brazil. 

From where did Spanish Heart come from, I wonder, I got to ask him, but I love, love, love this tune, perhaps my favorite. What a melody. Good to get you to face something or to prepare for battle. Perhaps the one we are all in, to save the world, and our souls.

Bali is inspired for sure. A piano solo here that is so lovely. Yoga lovers use this for funky classes. Wishful Thinking is super witty, quick, funky, a bit of Peter Sellers as Pink Panther grooving in his quest to find the culprit. Successful, of course. It’s that trumpet by José Arimatela that makes it so slick. Tango Lucumi is brilliant. I never thought I would hear these two genres together, but it works. The flamenco guitar and the accordion are spellbinding.

The Whales of Bahia hands down a tune to keep. Amazing. And the video, like I said at the beginning, is beautiful. What’s under the sea is another life, a world both known and unknown, like our minds, our past lives, or the legends of the Gods. They left behind so much. Are they with us still, the lords of ancient times? Seek and ye’ shall find…Goodness matters. Music brings people together, so try this, it might help you come closer to touching the fiber of what hurts and what makes us human.

Live long and prosper

Sol