Album Notes

I thought after listening to Kahlil Kwame Bell’s
earlier recordings, he was going to run out of ideas
for a third release. I was wrong. He shocked me
again! I asked him about this live recording and his
reason for putting it out. He said, “ I needed to
document the experience of what my band does in a
venue. In a recording studio, I plan everything, so
to the listener it sounds very well thought out. This
release is about the individual band members that I
have been blessed to work with for over seven years
now. Each musician told his or her own story through
strong improvised solos within a structured piece of
musical art.” What about your work on the slappaphone
instrument? It sounds like you opened up more than
usual. “ Actually, because this is a live recording,
many people are curious to hear how I lead a band
using an unpopular percussion instrument like the
slappaphone. So my presence on it needed to be
established strongly through improvisation.” What
made you choose these songs? “ Since this is a two
disc set, I wanted four songs from the first recording
and four songs from the second recording. And, I also
wanted songs that each musician could shine on.” What
about drums and other percussion instruments that you
play, I noticed that you are only playing on the
slappaphone and kalimba, why is that? “ Well, this
recording is more about the stories that my band
members are telling through their instruments. But, I
must say that because I do not work with these two
instruments with other artists, it is crucial that my
audience hear me present something entirely different
from what I do with other performers. Thus, giving a
new perspective of my individual artistry.” Well
Kahlil, I am looking forward to your next release and
I wish you success in showing more of this slappaphone
instrument.




Steve Beck

Columnist