The Italian collective’s new single is a free exploration of Nina Simone’s legendary “Blackbird.”
Karu is back with a new interpretation of a classic in the Black American repertoire. The Italian collective is taking on a real challenge by covering a standard like “Blackbird,” a track that Nina Simone used to address the condition of black American women in the 1960s. 55 years later, it is the saxophone’s hoarse tones that echoe her message.
The tribal sounds that KARU are known for bleed into electronically-doped free jazz. However, more than in previous works, the electronic edge blends into an almost acoustic and live rendering.
Listen exclusively to the two versions of this reinterpretation on PAM.
The single will be available in a limited vinyl edition starting July 17. Pre-orders are already open.