Who knows more about the power and potential of the human voice than Moira Smiley? The singer/composer, whose own vocal abilities are astonishing, has recorded stunning albums — as a solo artist, with her transcendent vocal group VOCO and with various pop and folk artists, such as Tune-Yards, Solas and Jayme Stone’s Lomax Project. But Smiley also knows the power of a heartfelt lyric. And she has combined magnificent vocals with perceptive, insightful lyrics on her latest work In Our Voices.” It brims with personal, political and social relevance.

The group’s resonant voices, with the additional energy of body percussion, generate a gorgeous musical intensity and weave supple, shimmering soundscapes.

 

 

 

On the opener, Sing About It, tackling the racial divide, Smiley finds music to be the balm for pain and sings of accountability:

Stop pretending it’s alright,
Stop pretending this is not our fight.
Am I responsible? Are you responsible?
What are we responsible for?

Days of War juxtaposes the knowledge of the conflicts all around us with a wistfully lovely tune, jaunty banjo and imagery of a bird in flight. Wiseman is a profound declaration of love. Stand in that River glistens with the purity of a hymn.

Other mesmerizing tracks include Refugee, How Can I Try, So Glad, Silverlake, The Call and Bellow.

Throughout, Smiley’s extraordinary, expressive voice is complemented by potent rhythms and wondrous, stirring harmonies. She has surrounded herself with other sublime vocalists. Joining Smiley in VOCO are Dawn Pemberton, Jake Asaro, Gregory Fletcher and Karla Mundy. Special guests Sam Amidon, Seamus Egan and David Weber also lend their voices to these urgent, emotional pleas.

With In Our Voices, Smiley sings of freedom, brotherhood, justice and equality. She cries out for a rejection of hatred. Smiley is an artist with much to say… and she says it beautifully, with eloquence, passion and integrity.