PREMIK RUSSELL TUBBS & MARGEE MINIER-TUBBS

ONENESS WORLD

Margetoile Records

Margee Minier-Tubbs, Exec. Producer/artistic director/composer/lyricist/backing vocals/spoken word/ percussion; Premik Russell Tubbs, saxophone/flutes/EWI/composer/producer; Zach Brock, multi-Grammy winning violinist; Steve Sandbert, pianist; Michael O’Brien, bass; Neil Alexander, keyboards; Todd Isler, drums/percussion; Lola Kristine & Arta Jēkabsone, vocals; Patrick Carmichael, spoken word poetry.

This album is a journey into ‘oneness’ with the ultimate connection being that humanity shares this world and the hope that we can all get along.  Married couple, Premik Russell Tubbs and Margee Minier-Tubbs have composed all the music on “Oneness World.”  Their original compositions reflect jazz fusion, East Indian & Celtic influences, with a touch of the blues, and a pinch of hip-hop added in for good measure.  Margee integrates spoken word into the mix, beginning with the very first tune titled “Oneness.”  She uses her soothing voice to introduce us to the album’s concept of one love.

They infuse their arrangements with percussion and electronic keyboards. Prominent is the violin of Zach Brock, who is amazing and adds sparkle to the project. This ensemble has a rich, full sound that’s highly orchestrated and very melodic. Background voices chant the premise of “one love.” They are harmoniously blended into the mix of this opening song. Co-composer, Premik Russell Tubbs is the leader on saxophone, marching ahead like an inspired pied piper.

They embrace several genres of music on this album. Track #2 is called “The Weave.” It’s an arrangement that lends itself to smooth jazz, with the spotlight on their violinist.  The Tubbs arrangement includes electronic elements and horn enhancements.

I notice the power and funk that drummer Todd Isler brings to the project on a song titled “Joie de Vivre” (the joy of life).  It’s arranged with a nod to the Celtic culture.  I can picture accordion players in kilted skirts dancing to this music.  As each song on this album unfolds, I take a trip through cultures.  These are richly produced arrangements of well-written compositions by the Tubbs couple.

“Catwalk (A Stitch in Time)” is a song based in the blues. The Minier-Tubbs lyrics are sung by two featured vocalists. These printed lyrics are included in their liner notes, so we can read along. They are sung the way a jazz vocalist might sing scat.  Not like Eddie Jefferson, but more like someone singing a monologue.  Afterwards, the vocalist shows us that indeed, she can scat sing too.

Composer, lyricist, Minier-Tubbs, is a bi-lingual European/ American. She earned a degree in Fashion Design, as well as being a wonderful songwriter and poet.  She also has worked as a translator in the Music Industry at the popular MIDEM event. Her song and the following spoken word explains the historic development of sewing machines, from needles made of bone, to the design of clothing.  There is protest stitched into the fabric of this composition.

Her partner, Premik Russell Tubbs is a multi-instrumentalist who has worked with icons like Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, Sting, Herbie Hancock and more.  Together, these two talented individuals have created an album of wonderful music, but they also take an outspoken stance against unfair corporate greed, unsafe work conditions, and a need for humanity to become more loving and supportive of each other.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Subscribe to Our Newsletter