Check out Sexto Sentido! instagram.com/sextosentidocuba I'm still completely blown away by this, no matter how many times I listen to it. Also, the new ebook is available at 50% off for our launch sale, but that sale is ending soon, so check it out! jazzpianoimprov.com/
I've said it already many many times, but I'll continue doing it: Definitely check out Thomas Bergersen! He does absolutely incredible things, I especially like his newer albums like the Humanity series or Myth, but many older pieces are also really great!
@CharlesCornellStudios I can only recommend you to listen Manhattan Transfers Version of Body and Soul. Yes it is with Piano and Bass but still to sing 4 minutes this arrangement is ridiculous.
You asked for recommendations, and while this isn't at all new, I did just see the Bulgarian Angelite Choir live, and the harmonies are just incredibly. th-cam.com/video/levOES7XmEY/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=JAROMedienGmbH-Bremen
💯 The fact that Charles looks at completely different genres is also brilliant. While not every genre is to my taste, it is SO good to appreciate and enjoy the musicianship and skill of the performers, especially ones I wouldn't normally come across. (Like NPR Tiny Desk concerts)
This video really shows how unique the human voice is. Usually when Charles plays along with the melodies on the piano to break it down, it sounds just as pretty or even nicer. But here the piano sounds crunchy with all of the complex harmonies. The human voice just sounds so elegant even with the sub harmonies and dissonance.
Yeah this really shows-up the limitations of 12TET intonation. They’re tuned so well that it doesn’t even sound dissonant anymore. That said, it’s pretty interesting how the “less pure” harmonic overlap in the piano makes the choral harmonies instead sound jazzy! Definitely far more spicy.
The human voice is one of the most powerful forces in human history. This is absolutely amazing. I also thought it was interesting that a piano cannot make that kind of harmony. At least not clean and easy.
Absolutely amazing vocal control...no sliding into those dissonant harmonies, no meandering around the note, no wobbling. It's like a sampled keyboard part, without the keyboard flat expression of the timbre or dynamics...just gobsmacked, here!
The held notes sometimes are keyboard-flat... which is pretty amazing. At first I assumed some of it was tuned, but then they'd have needed magic mics, very directional, that reject everything off axis completely. And I don't think they make that, yet🤣. This is pretty cool. The host's reactions are so over the top, like, to the point that I gotta give him the raised eyebrow... IRL, you'd assume he was on something, if he was talking to you like this, in a coffee shop or wherever. I assume it's acting, in this instance, like the Matty character on the Oak Island show, x10 tho. The "WOW!" towards the end, after shutting down their clip, actually made me jump a bit!
@@GizzyDillespee Nah, some of us just get that excited about unusual harmony. For me, it's the most exciting thing in the world whenever I find music that's managing to offer something surprising harmonically. I'm literally like a child opening Christmas gifts.
@@GizzyDillespee While I do not have Charles' 'American' exuberance (I found my American cousins a little over-the-top when I first met them many years ago), I nonetheless quite often exclaim to myself when listening to amazing music. Whether it is a an awe-inspiring performance from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, a brilliant solo during a Consouls vgm jazz cover, one of Emmet Cohen's quciksilver-like changes mid-tune, or the way Patrick Bartley plays a rhythmic and rapid altissimo sequence on his sax, I have been known to let out a joyful OOF! or WHOOO! I think Charles is genuinely excited about this music.
Actually, there are digital audio softwares capable of re-pitching "polyphonic", harmonic audio at this point in time :) just had to point that out, although I 100% expect this performance to be authentic and NOT re-pitched. They're simply amazing. @@GizzyDillespee
Can you let me know if this translation is accurate enough? Song to Eleggua by Sexto Sentido Bara suayo. - Praise/Invocation to the spirit. Omonia lawana mama - Soul's calling to the mother. Kenirawo e - See our destiny/path. Bara suayo - Praise/Invocation to the spirit. Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e - Soul's calling to the mother, see our path. Obbara suayo eke eshu oddara - Blessings and protection from Eshu, it is good. Omonia lawana mama kenirawo eeee - Soul's calling to the mother, see our path. Bara suayo - Praise/Invocation to the spirit. Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e - Soul's calling to the mother, see our path. Bara suayo - Praise/Invocation to the spirit. Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e - Soul's calling to the mother, see our path. Obbara suayo eke eshu oddara - Blessings and protection from Eshu, it is good. Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e - Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
@@kevinbissingerI'm Yoruba from Ibadan, Nigeria... even though it's my native tongue, the dialect is totally alien. And just because you've written out the lyrics and attempted translation, I'll try to translate some of the words for you. However, it won't be perfect because the meaning is simultaneously contextual, poetic in a mystical sense and occultic (i.e. the meaning might be hidden from the profane or uninitiated). The dialect is also a barrier to full translation. All the same, the song is an ode to the òrìṣà, Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà (a.k.a Elegua) the sometimes practical joker god or Master of the Crossroads, Lord of Communications, Guardian of Gates. Èṣù is the owner of all roads, paths, and thresholds, in the literal and metaphoric sense. He's also the Owner of Highways, the Path to your door, and the Road to every kind of Success. Now, to the song: Bara suayo (no idea) Omoya lawana We are born of the same mother mama kenirawo e Don't be the last to bring your sacrifice Note: "Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà" means "Èṣù, Creator of Wonders". "Ọ̀dàrà" is different from "ó dára" (meaning "it is good" or "it is well") Obara suayo -King of the world Ẹ ké Salute with a cry Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà Èṣù who wrought wonders Àṣẹ, mo júbà Òrìṣà Amen, I worship Orisa (the gods) Mo júbà ilẹ̀, mo júbà Òrìṣà I worship the land, I worship Òrìṣà Aláròyé mo júbà ilé l'Òrìṣà The Chief Announcer, I worship The land is Òrìṣà Elegua ilẹ̀, soterie Elegua, of the land (another nickname of Èṣù Elẹ́gbára) Elegua ẹ ké Elegua! We cry (or we raise our voice in adulation) Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà Unnnn
This Yoruba isn't the one we have in Nigeria. It's one that has experienced some metamorphosis due to their stay in Cuba over generations. It's beautiful to see my people.
I'm here for Charles freaking out with excitement and joy over every single chord. I feel so represented as a singer/musician who reacts the exact same way- more vocal harmony videos PLEASE!!
I’ve been a singer for 35 years. At some point I sang in choruses end other vocal groups of different sizes. It’s really astonishing the level of complexity, beauty and delivery. Never heard something like this at this level. Awestruck…
I’m glad to hear you exposing me to new, complex music rather than explaining how the songs I’ve already heard are complex. I like both types of videos, but this is the sort that is actually *vasluable* to me and why I subscribe. Thanks!😊
He can't predict what songs you've heard and what songs you haven't. Also, many people overlook the complexity of a Stevie Wonder song because it's wrapped in such a catchy package. There's a value to that. Lastly, even if I knew a song was interesting and complex it doesn't mean I've taken the time to fully unpack it.
@@rsaettoneIt's called a 'thaighpeaugh', and they happen sometimes but rarely actually obscure the intended meaning of the phrase, something evidenced by the fact you understood exactly what they meant. :|
As someone who sang with one of their members and enjoyed their music for years back in Cuba, I can attest their endless talent, creativity and professionalism... Proud to the bone of them, thank you so much for the analysis
I love how you're analysing a Cuban band, exploring Yoruba based music. Another youtuber, Xiaomanyc, made a video where he learned and spoke Yoruba. As an Australian, I've never heard of this Language or Culture before a few months ago and damn its so interesting and comforting to see cultural appreciation at this level. In your own ways people like you and Xiaoma are healing the world and bringing cultures together through love and appreciation. You're an absolute legend Charles! Keep it up mate!
Those harmonies remind me of the group,Take 6. They sing gospel, and they are incredible. I LOVE this type of acapella where the voices are so intricate and precise. You have to be precise with this type of harmonizing. If someone is off even slightly it throws the whole thing off. These women are amazing!
I think this is a great demonstration of the limits of equal temperament. You can hear the vocal harmonies being perfectly in tune throughout, but the piano sounds slightly off on some of the chords. Cool video!
@@Crookedile You make a good point! They're a great instrument, but in my head, they weren't what I was thinking of, haha. They're the closest real-life counterpart to what I want, though. I'm willing to invest in one. Hopefully they have some nicer patches than the ones I've heard.
Normally I would describe chords like this as "crunchy," but their voices and blend are so smooth I don't even have words for it. Like… if stars could sing, this is what it would sound like. The first chord bright tears to my eyes 😭🤩🥰
It seems that their ability to modulate between harmonies really is a "sixth sense," just like their name. The harmonies were so good that I had to pause Charles's video and study the original. Beautiful, and surreal.
Always been a fan of super tight dissonant harmonies. Eric Whitacre's Water Night is also super beautiful. It's been about 10 years since I sang it, but I want to say it had like 10-12 layers to those chords, and most of them were really tight.
Because I'm a huge nerd, I actually remember one of the big chords from Water Night almost exactly. The basses sing three notes in a non-clustered chord - I think Gb2, Db3, Bb3. Then the tenors sing Eb4, F4, Gb4. Then the altos and sopranos sing Ab4 through maybe F5? Maybe Ab5 on the top? All the notes in the Bb minor scale. So it's either 12 or 14 parts. Now I want to listen to see if I can remember exactly. Edit: Yup, pretty sure it's 14 parts at 2:51 on the video on his channel. Just incredible.
The beauty of dissonent harmonies are underpinned by the rich sub-harmonics of the human voice. Few other instruments can compete with the sub-harmonic complexities of the human voice. As a singer, I have performed a few times in musical productions which require this level of dissonance. There is no question that it's very difficult to learn but when it's done right, it's just amazing to sing and to listen to.
Exactly! Coupled with the African/Latin percussion - mind blowing - LOVE that percussion!!! Thanks for this video - glad others appreciate this as much as I do 💝
This is transcendent. It reminds me of a Cuban Mystere des voix Bulgares! The intro is half the Debussy piano etudes book. Lots of major 7 flat 5 chords. Half-diminished seventh chords which are actually rootless dominant ninths. Open quartal voicings. Great stuff. Then when the rhythm kicks in, it takes me back to C.K. Ladzkepo's Ghanian music class at UC Berkeley. I recognize that exact cascara from West African music, but I've never heard that term.
That is wild. Seemed like a normal song and that harmony happened. That is serious. I cold chill took me over. I was literally shivering. That is a different kind of power! Wow 😳
I've always enjoyed the extreme vocal discipline of a capella group The Idea of North and this group also stuns. Thanks Charles for a brilliant recommendation!
I was so addicted to this song when it first came out {still am} I couldn’t tell you how many times I have played this song trying to figure out what they are doing❤❤❤ thanks for the break down on the keyboard
Saw the thumbnail, paused the vid and went to hear the full thing first. That was about an hour ago, instant sub and insta follow, exhausted the lot and now I'm back to watch this. These are some truly special musicians. So many harmonic surprises I was wooing and woahing more than I have in a while. Stellar.
Love your enthusiasm! Vocal groups have been doing this for a long time... Take 6 is a group that comes to mind with their super tight and intricate harmonies. A video about Just Intonation vs Equal Temperament would also be great as a way to explain why the "same" piano voicings you play sound a little off and so much worse than what they're singing :)
Yes! I agree, I have been a huge Take 6 fan since the 80s when they first came out and would love to see Charles do a breakdown of some of their vocal masterpieces!
Well this is what actual jazz (from New Orleans) sounds like. Also a lot of groups from the 70’s the O Jays and Marvin Gaye use this, as do I in my music 😉. This is a rich part of Afro American history. The enslaved people did the field hollers which were even more vast and complicated. But to most Western ears it doesn’t make sense. Notice how he emphasized the polished aspect. Most of the time this is not going to be this polished for good reason. Also you can’t play those notes on a piano you need something that you can bend the notes with.
@@kmcq692 well, speaking of Bach, I think baroque composers did know about Just intonation. I know that clavesimbels have been created at the time with different keys for the same note, with slightly different intonation to circumvent this problem on a piano-like instrument. As a violinist myself, and knowing others playing Bach, we also adjust intonation in Bach's music on string instruments, first through knowledge of the harmonies and later trained intuition.
Gold Mine! 1st cut on their first record! 1987 or 1988 I think. I'll never forget the minute I first heard it on the radio in the car late one night. Immediately drove to Tower Records (open till midnight) to buy it!
The extent of my exposure to Afro-Cuban music before this was the Buena Vista social club and a few things I heard Steve Gadd play on the drums, but this was completely mind melting in its complexity and beauty. Cheers and Thanks for the tip!!!
And the vocals are not just dead on tuning, they are JUST tuned. You can tell when comparing to the equal-tempered keyboard how much more consonant, even those crunchy chords sound. LOVE IT.
what I love about this channel aside from it changing my perspective on music is the introduction of artists that not only making beautiful music, but music that touches my soul. Instead of touching on the top 100 songs, this channel,welcomes corner stone components of history and culture.
I'm so glad I can feel chills. Apparently some people don't have that? Hearing a note that just goes down your spine is something that not everyone can feel and I'm very fortunate that I can cause I got it ALOT during this video.
Yeah, I was effected strongly by this song too. A couple times I was actually shivering. Ice cold harmony. A thing of beauty. Been replaying this track all day.
Without taking *_anything_* away from their obvious skills, I think that what they have grown up hearing plays a huge part in being able to sing these pieces...
yes, the same goes for the "maqam" scales; singing those microtones, accurately, for any "westerner" is almost an impossible job, but people who grow up in that environment can reproduce those scales perfectly over and over again
Wow, my mind is blown. The intervals are so close and they’re singing them so deliciously perfect. There’s some serious study and discipline behind this. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be checking out all of this music!
This is by far my favorite video ever. Seeing your enthusiasm and excitement for harmonies and rhythms of afrocuban music is awesome and makes me happy. Please keep making these videos man, I need someone else to flip out over crazy dissonances and rhythms with. 😂
I’ve been in a lot of choirs with a few awards to collect dust, and I’ve heard a lot of great vocal groups along the way. But I have never heard anything like this! This group is the gold the World Music river has been depositing under a newly flipped over boulder.
I have heard this song for almost 10 years several times a year, it never ceases to send me to another place. They Harmonize and sing in Yoruba which is already something very unique. This package is much more than just singing, it is a dense spiritual experience as well. These girls are way ahead of any vocal group I have ever heard. It's spirit, soul and music at its very best!
It's gorgeous, the chords do absolutely work, but what's amazing to me is that they get all that color and harmonic richness with JUST FOUR VOICES! And it flows super smoothly.
Thank you for sharing this amazing music with us. In a world where most music discovery now happens through algorithms that aren't actually very good at figuring out our tastes, it's great to have someone who's still like "Hey, check this cool thing out."
Blown away is the perfect term to describe it. And what you said about the difficulty to stay in tune while doing four parts harmonies remind me of an old video cassette by Manhattan Transfer, shot about their "twilight zone" period, maybe earlier, and you see them rehearse "Jeannine", around a piano, each taking turn to try to get his/her part right, and you can feel the difficulty of threading acrobatic different lines together into lush harmonies......and they have a pianist to work with (and a band, later in the clip). I'm so glad you introduced me to Sexto Sentido, they are the best thing I've heard for a long, long time. Ladies, I bow in front of you !
I remember hearing 'tiny habits' and thinking "this is the tightest complex harmony I've heard". Especially when singing live with Lizzy McAlpine on tiny desk. But yea.... After hearing this. There's a new winner ❤️🌈
Hail Yoruba and Haussa and all Nigerian people. Tunes from the heart of Mother Africa. So excellent singers , angelic voices. Many mothers sing lullabies in that manner in Africa.
i'd like to say i'm a pretty good alto but my God i cannot FATHOM how on earth these guys are hitting that harmony with precision that scary...... thank you Charles as always for spreading the word of beautiful music
If you like gorgeous vocal harmonies, I advise to to absolutely check out Bulgarian folk/choir music. "Vila Sei Gora" or "Kaval Sviri" are good places to start. It has loads of interesting jazz-like harmony similar to this. "Aishinko, Pilya Shareno" is stunning, especially 1:40-2:40, WOW, those harmonies! Some of it uses glissandos and non-tonal vocalizations to make some incredibly striking music (See "Altun Maro - Ensemble Pirin").
I found Cuban music via salsa music, and it's really interesting to me how far Cubans will push harmony even in dance music, and how eclectic they are in including jazz, classical, and old African elements
Do you sing/ What I do when I sing in a group is, because I can't sight-read (I'm too blind), I memorize every sound I have to make, and then just focus on that. IF I AM PERFECT< I will blend. I'm also putting a lot of trust in the others to be perfect, of course, but my pitch hearing is good enough that it's painful to me when things are off. Weirdly enough, I don't have perfect pitch, but I know what makes me say "Ow.". And HOLY CRAP, they're fabulous!
Hey Charles, I think you should definitely consider making a video about Chopin. He deserves a spotlight because he made significant contributions to piano techniques and harmony. While it might not be directly comparable to jazz, his innovations were a major step forward in the world of classical music. As someone who has analyzed a lot of old and classical music, I've concluded that Chopin's work has had an impact, albeit indirectly, on the evolution of jazz (polyrythms, phrasing, structure, harmonies that takes you to nowhere, textures and so on). I also want to add that this man heavily influenced other composers such as Debussy and Rachmaninoff. I recommend featuring some of his well-known pieces, such as his Ballades (especially 1, 3, or 4), Wrong note etude, Op. 10 No. 3, Op. 9 No. 2, Op. 48 no. 1, his Etudes, and "Winter Wind," among others. Chopin's music offers a rich and intriguing perspective and it would be dope to see you make a video about him.
Those harmonies remind me of Take 6. These women are very talented. Reminds me of the Bulgarian womens chorus. The dissonant chords sung and resolved by them had some magical effect on me. Ill never forget how i felt hearing it. Good stuff.
What blows me away about jazz harmonies is how you can have just a bunch of wacky dissonant chord that sound jumbled alone but then somehow sound so calming and settled in context.
hell yes give me all of this you have and twice on sundays. I feel it in my bones. these are mesmerizing harmonies. hopefully there's lots more, please.
Normally I get pretty frustrated with reaction type videos where the person is having a meltdown. But I actually think your mind=blown reaction is totally justified here. Did it to me too! Going to head over to their page right now!
If this kind of a capella goodness is right up your alley and you’re really digging for something similar, I’d HIGLY recommend that you check out The Singer’s Unlimited’s arrangement of Nature Boy. That song is the perfect blend of traditional & jazz. Goosebumps for sure!!!
Beautiful, there is an a cappella group from Africa that is awesome as well. I sang in a barbershop chorus for years, while those harmonies were more “traditional” we still loved doing the right dissonant chords. Beautiful stuff. Just what I needed, another rabbit hole to go down!!
In Brazil, more specific, in Bahia (Northeastern side), this variable rhythm is actually one of so many patterns from our African religion based called Candomblé. The name of it is "vassi". Thank you for this video. Made my day in so many levels...
Check out Sexto Sentido! instagram.com/sextosentidocuba I'm still completely blown away by this, no matter how many times I listen to it. Also, the new ebook is available at 50% off for our launch sale, but that sale is ending soon, so check it out! jazzpianoimprov.com/
Have you ever thought to dissect modern gospel music? There is some INSANE stuff in there.
I've said it already many many times, but I'll continue doing it:
Definitely check out Thomas Bergersen! He does absolutely incredible things, I especially like his newer albums like the Humanity series or Myth, but many older pieces are also really great!
@CharlesCornellStudios I can only recommend you to listen Manhattan Transfers Version of Body and Soul. Yes it is with Piano and Bass but still to sing 4 minutes this arrangement is ridiculous.
You asked for recommendations, and while this isn't at all new, I did just see the Bulgarian Angelite Choir live, and the harmonies are just incredibly. th-cam.com/video/levOES7XmEY/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=JAROMedienGmbH-Bremen
Day 2 of telling you to check out NCT's "From Home" and "Superhuman"
i will NEVER get tired of Charles being completely awestruck by phenomenal musicians. he has so much respect and appreciation for true talent.
💯 The fact that Charles looks at completely different genres is also brilliant. While not every genre is to my taste, it is SO good to appreciate and enjoy the musicianship and skill of the performers, especially ones I wouldn't normally come across. (Like NPR Tiny Desk concerts)
This is exactly why I subscribed.
This man knows what good music sounds like.
It's the very reason I enjoy watching him SO much because I'm the same way, especially over gorgeous harmony. I absolutely get it. He tickles me. lol
This video really shows how unique the human voice is. Usually when Charles plays along with the melodies on the piano to break it down, it sounds just as pretty or even nicer. But here the piano sounds crunchy with all of the complex harmonies. The human voice just sounds so elegant even with the sub harmonies and dissonance.
Yeah this really shows-up the limitations of 12TET intonation. They’re tuned so well that it doesn’t even sound dissonant anymore.
That said, it’s pretty interesting how the “less pure” harmonic overlap in the piano makes the choral harmonies instead sound jazzy! Definitely far more spicy.
The human voice is one of the most powerful forces in human history.
This is absolutely amazing.
I also thought it was interesting that a piano cannot make that kind of harmony. At least not clean and easy.
Absolutely amazing vocal control...no sliding into those dissonant harmonies, no meandering around the note, no wobbling. It's like a sampled keyboard part, without the keyboard flat expression of the timbre or dynamics...just gobsmacked, here!
Exactly
The held notes sometimes are keyboard-flat... which is pretty amazing. At first I assumed some of it was tuned, but then they'd have needed magic mics, very directional, that reject everything off axis completely. And I don't think they make that, yet🤣. This is pretty cool. The host's reactions are so over the top, like, to the point that I gotta give him the raised eyebrow... IRL, you'd assume he was on something, if he was talking to you like this, in a coffee shop or wherever. I assume it's acting, in this instance, like the Matty character on the Oak Island show, x10 tho. The "WOW!" towards the end, after shutting down their clip, actually made me jump a bit!
@@GizzyDillespee Nah, some of us just get that excited about unusual harmony. For me, it's the most exciting thing in the world whenever I find music that's managing to offer something surprising harmonically. I'm literally like a child opening Christmas gifts.
@@GizzyDillespee While I do not have Charles' 'American' exuberance (I found my American cousins a little over-the-top when I first met them many years ago), I nonetheless quite often exclaim to myself when listening to amazing music. Whether it is a an awe-inspiring performance from the Australian Chamber Orchestra, a brilliant solo during a Consouls vgm jazz cover, one of Emmet Cohen's quciksilver-like changes mid-tune, or the way Patrick Bartley plays a rhythmic and rapid altissimo sequence on his sax, I have been known to let out a joyful OOF! or WHOOO! I think Charles is genuinely excited about this music.
Actually, there are digital audio softwares capable of re-pitching "polyphonic", harmonic audio at this point in time :) just had to point that out, although I 100% expect this performance to be authentic and NOT re-pitched. They're simply amazing. @@GizzyDillespee
As a person from the Yoruba tribe, thanks for covering this! They sing our language so beautifully.
Can you let me know if this translation is accurate enough?
Song to Eleggua by Sexto Sentido
Bara suayo.
- Praise/Invocation to the spirit.
Omonia lawana mama
- Soul's calling to the mother.
Kenirawo e
- See our destiny/path.
Bara suayo
- Praise/Invocation to the spirit.
Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e
- Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
Obbara suayo eke eshu oddara
- Blessings and protection from Eshu, it is good.
Omonia lawana mama kenirawo eeee
- Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
Bara suayo
- Praise/Invocation to the spirit.
Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e
- Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
Bara suayo
- Praise/Invocation to the spirit.
Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e
- Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
Obbara suayo eke eshu oddara
- Blessings and protection from Eshu, it is good.
Omonia lawana mama kenirawo e
- Soul's calling to the mother, see our path.
@@kevinbissingerI'm Yoruba from Ibadan, Nigeria... even though it's my native tongue, the dialect is totally alien. And just because you've written out the lyrics and attempted translation, I'll try to translate some of the words for you. However, it won't be perfect because the meaning is simultaneously contextual, poetic in a mystical sense and occultic (i.e. the meaning might be hidden from the profane or uninitiated).
The dialect is also a barrier to full translation. All the same, the song is an ode to the òrìṣà, Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà (a.k.a Elegua) the sometimes practical joker god or Master of the Crossroads, Lord of Communications, Guardian of Gates. Èṣù is the owner of all roads, paths, and thresholds, in the literal and metaphoric sense. He's also the Owner of Highways, the Path to your door, and the Road to every kind of Success.
Now, to the song:
Bara suayo (no idea)
Omoya lawana
We are born of the same mother
mama kenirawo e
Don't be the last to bring your sacrifice
Note: "Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà" means "Èṣù, Creator of Wonders". "Ọ̀dàrà" is different from "ó dára" (meaning "it is good" or "it is well")
Obara suayo
-King of the world
Ẹ ké
Salute with a cry
Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà
Èṣù who wrought wonders
Àṣẹ, mo júbà Òrìṣà
Amen, I worship Orisa (the gods)
Mo júbà ilẹ̀, mo júbà Òrìṣà
I worship the land, I worship Òrìṣà
Aláròyé mo júbà ilé l'Òrìṣà
The Chief Announcer, I worship
The land is Òrìṣà
Elegua ilẹ̀, soterie
Elegua, of the land (another nickname of Èṣù Elẹ́gbára)
Elegua ẹ ké
Elegua! We cry (or we raise our voice in adulation)
Èṣù Ọ̀dàrà
Unnnn
This Yoruba isn't the one we have in Nigeria. It's one that has experienced some metamorphosis due to their stay in Cuba over generations. It's beautiful to see my people.
Very underrated reply. I hope you start a yt channel
Also, they're singing this with such support... sitting on the floor!
I'm here for Charles freaking out with excitement and joy over every single chord. I feel so represented as a singer/musician who reacts the exact same way- more vocal harmony videos PLEASE!!
There were times I got the feeling of a barbershop quartet’s so-called “fifth voice” during their really tight harmonies. Stunning.
So true! There are overtones and undertones all over this!
I’ve been a singer for 35 years. At some point I sang in choruses end other vocal groups of different sizes. It’s really astonishing the level of complexity, beauty and delivery. Never heard something like this at this level. Awestruck…
Yoruba tribe man here. Pleasantly surprised to hear Charles mention it out of the blue. Haha!
Sumptuous harmony from the immensely musical ladies!
I’m glad to hear you exposing me to new, complex music rather than explaining how the songs I’ve already heard are complex. I like both types of videos, but this is the sort that is actually *vasluable* to me and why I subscribe. Thanks!😊
Vasluable?
He can't predict what songs you've heard and what songs you haven't. Also, many people overlook the complexity of a Stevie Wonder song because it's wrapped in such a catchy package. There's a value to that. Lastly, even if I knew a song was interesting and complex it doesn't mean I've taken the time to fully unpack it.
@@rsaettoneis more like, using already famous music vs introducing obscure and undervalued artists
@@luciocastro1418 I got that, I was just questioning the spelling of the word valuable.
@@rsaettoneIt's called a 'thaighpeaugh', and they happen sometimes but rarely actually obscure the intended meaning of the phrase, something evidenced by the fact you understood exactly what they meant. :|
As someone who sang with one of their members and enjoyed their music for years back in Cuba, I can attest their endless talent, creativity and professionalism... Proud to the bone of them, thank you so much for the analysis
This reminds me of Bulgarian women's folk chior, on which you also did a reaction to. The tonal complexity/stress is so incredibly beautiful!
I love how you're analysing a Cuban band, exploring Yoruba based music. Another youtuber, Xiaomanyc, made a video where he learned and spoke Yoruba. As an Australian, I've never heard of this Language or Culture before a few months ago and damn its so interesting and comforting to see cultural appreciation at this level. In your own ways people like you and Xiaoma are healing the world and bringing cultures together through love and appreciation. You're an absolute legend Charles! Keep it up mate!
So proud of Yoruba brothers
Of course Xiaoma just casually learned Yoruba lol
That guy is also Amazing - XiaomanNYC!
that's goddamned inspiring.
what an absolute miracle, to have these women here alive on earth at the same time as us.
Those harmonies remind me of the group,Take 6. They sing gospel, and they are incredible. I LOVE this type of acapella where the voices are so intricate and precise. You have to be precise with this type of harmonizing. If someone is off even slightly it throws the whole thing off. These women are amazing!
I was going to say the same thing! The Take 6 guys are consummate masters of their craft. These ladies are super good too!
Oooh YESSSSS great observation!
Yes, I hear a mix of Take 6 and Zap Mama.
Absolutely stunning.
I think this is a great demonstration of the limits of equal temperament. You can hear the vocal harmonies being perfectly in tune throughout, but the piano sounds slightly off on some of the chords. Cool video!
I was just gonna say that that 😊😊😊
Sometimes, I wish we had semi pianos for times such as this.
You can definitely hear the crunch of the piano in contrast to the smooth intervals the singers are hitting
Like a Lumatone!@@BettyAlexandriaPride
@@Crookedile You make a good point! They're a great instrument, but in my head, they weren't what I was thinking of, haha. They're the closest real-life counterpart to what I want, though. I'm willing to invest in one. Hopefully they have some nicer patches than the ones I've heard.
Normally I would describe chords like this as "crunchy," but their voices and blend are so smooth I don't even have words for it. Like… if stars could sing, this is what it would sound like. The first chord bright tears to my eyes 😭🤩🥰
Celestial or elemental fits
Back in the 70s my momma introduced me to an album called “Missa Luba” which floored me for the same reasons. Stunning harmonies
Very proud of my cousin Yudelkys!!! Shes wonderful singer. Thank you!!!❤❤❤❤
It seems that their ability to modulate between harmonies really is a "sixth sense," just like their name. The harmonies were so good that I had to pause Charles's video and study the original.
Beautiful, and surreal.
Always been a fan of super tight dissonant harmonies. Eric Whitacre's Water Night is also super beautiful. It's been about 10 years since I sang it, but I want to say it had like 10-12 layers to those chords, and most of them were really tight.
The cluster chords are where it's at.
Because I'm a huge nerd, I actually remember one of the big chords from Water Night almost exactly. The basses sing three notes in a non-clustered chord - I think Gb2, Db3, Bb3. Then the tenors sing Eb4, F4, Gb4. Then the altos and sopranos sing Ab4 through maybe F5? Maybe Ab5 on the top? All the notes in the Bb minor scale. So it's either 12 or 14 parts. Now I want to listen to see if I can remember exactly.
Edit: Yup, pretty sure it's 14 parts at 2:51 on the video on his channel. Just incredible.
These women are amazing! I sang in choirs for about 15 years and singing such harmonies is insane.
The beauty of dissonent harmonies are underpinned by the rich sub-harmonics of the human voice. Few other instruments can compete with the sub-harmonic complexities of the human voice. As a singer, I have performed a few times in musical productions which require this level of dissonance. There is no question that it's very difficult to learn but when it's done right, it's just amazing to sing and to listen to.
Exactly! Coupled with the African/Latin percussion - mind blowing - LOVE that percussion!!!
Thanks for this video - glad others appreciate this as much as I do 💝
This is why I LOVE being a choral singer. Those exceptionally complex harmonies are wonderfully fun when you hit them right.
I've been watching this video for over an hour and haven't finished because I keep rewinding in disbelief and awe.
This is transcendent. It reminds me of a Cuban Mystere des voix Bulgares! The intro is half the Debussy piano etudes book. Lots of major 7 flat 5 chords. Half-diminished seventh chords which are actually rootless dominant ninths. Open quartal voicings. Great stuff. Then when the rhythm kicks in, it takes me back to C.K. Ladzkepo's Ghanian music class at UC Berkeley. I recognize that exact cascara from West African music, but I've never heard that term.
That is wild. Seemed like a normal song and that harmony happened.
That is serious.
I cold chill took me over.
I was literally shivering.
That is a different kind of power!
Wow 😳
How to make a masterpiece
Step 1: Melody
Step 2: Countermelody that goes hard
Step 3: Satisfying dissonant chords
These ladies are out of this world.. Near tears hearing these ladies..
The human voice as a musical instrument steals the show once again. Thanks for allowing us to discover stuff like this!
3:50 - This reminds me of the harmony used in Manhattan Transfer's "Twilight Zone/Twilight Tone", produced by Jay Graydon.
I've always enjoyed the extreme vocal discipline of a capella group The Idea of North and this group also stuns. Thanks Charles for a brilliant recommendation!
Aiyooo I'm cuban and I've NEVER thought I'd see something from my country in your channel, there's more great stuff if if you want
yoooo!!! I'm Cuban as well very impressed to see something from our island here!!! Irakere next!!!!
@@dcuza coñooo siii Charles listen to irakere!!!
HOW?! Incredible harmonies. And this genre of music is originally written without the help of, say, a piano?
You don't have to know anything about music ( I don't) to appreciate how gorgeous this is - Thank You for sharing!!!
Charles, you’ve been busy! Watching the video 2 million times! 😉
I was so addicted to this song when it first came out {still am} I couldn’t tell you how many times I have played this song trying to figure out what they are doing❤❤❤ thanks for the break down on the keyboard
Saw the thumbnail, paused the vid and went to hear the full thing first. That was about an hour ago, instant sub and insta follow, exhausted the lot and now I'm back to watch this. These are some truly special musicians. So many harmonic surprises I was wooing and woahing more than I have in a while. Stellar.
Johny Bravo's joy in this video is absolutely contagious!!!
Love your enthusiasm! Vocal groups have been doing this for a long time... Take 6 is a group that comes to mind with their super tight and intricate harmonies. A video about Just Intonation vs Equal Temperament would also be great as a way to explain why the "same" piano voicings you play sound a little off and so much worse than what they're singing :)
Oooh. Thanks. That’s practically philosophical. Take that, Bach!
Yes! I agree, I have been a huge Take 6 fan since the 80s when they first came out and would love to see Charles do a breakdown of some of their vocal masterpieces!
Well this is what actual jazz (from New Orleans) sounds like. Also a lot of groups from the 70’s the O Jays and Marvin Gaye use this, as do I in my music 😉. This is a rich part of Afro American history. The enslaved people did the field hollers which were even more vast and complicated. But to most Western ears it doesn’t make sense. Notice how he emphasized the polished aspect. Most of the time this is not going to be this polished for good reason. Also you can’t play those notes on a piano you need something that you can bend the notes with.
@@kmcq692 well, speaking of Bach, I think baroque composers did know about Just intonation. I know that clavesimbels have been created at the time with different keys for the same note, with slightly different intonation to circumvent this problem on a piano-like instrument.
As a violinist myself, and knowing others playing Bach, we also adjust intonation in Bach's music on string instruments, first through knowledge of the harmonies and later trained intuition.
Gold Mine! 1st cut on their first record! 1987 or 1988 I think. I'll never forget the minute I first heard it on the radio in the car late one night. Immediately drove to Tower Records (open till midnight) to buy it!
The extent of my exposure to Afro-Cuban music before this was the Buena Vista social club and a few things I heard Steve Gadd play on the drums, but this was completely mind melting in its complexity and beauty. Cheers and Thanks for the tip!!!
I love how the main theme is constructed under a simple pentatonic scale, but the harmonies grow so complex.
This reminds me of the vocalisations that Yoko Kanno likes to put in some of her works, but more detailed and deeper.
And the vocals are not just dead on tuning, they are JUST tuned. You can tell when comparing to the equal-tempered keyboard how much more consonant, even those crunchy chords sound. LOVE IT.
OMG that was hauntingly beautiful and ethereal! It felt like I was being taken into another realm
I don’t know about anyone else Charles, but I will never tire of your enthusiasm. Great!
what I love about this channel aside from it changing my perspective on music is the introduction of artists that not only making beautiful music, but music that touches my soul. Instead of touching on the top 100 songs, this channel,welcomes corner stone components of history and culture.
Proud of being Cuban and I've listened to them live and they're amazing! Great job on choosing them!
I'm so glad I can feel chills. Apparently some people don't have that? Hearing a note that just goes down your spine is something that not everyone can feel and I'm very fortunate that I can cause I got it ALOT during this video.
Yeah, I was effected strongly by this song too.
A couple times I was actually shivering.
Ice cold harmony.
A thing of beauty.
Been replaying this track all day.
I just love your ability Charles to find amzing music form various corners around the world. Quite amazing!! You've got such a delicate ear.
They are absolutely incredible! I hear a little bit of Take Six and Manhattan Transfer.
Definitely Transfer, yeah.
Without taking *_anything_* away from their obvious skills, I think that what they have grown up hearing plays a huge part in being able to sing these pieces...
yes, the same goes for the "maqam" scales; singing those microtones, accurately, for any "westerner" is almost an impossible job, but people who grow up in that environment can reproduce those scales perfectly over and over again
These sounds aren't foreign to me as a Yoruba at all. However as it went further the arrangements started hitting hard. They are AMAZING!!!
Wow, my mind is blown. The intervals are so close and they’re singing them so deliciously perfect. There’s some serious study and discipline behind this. Thanks for sharing, I’ll be checking out all of this music!
Insane. Love this and reminds me of Take 6’s Come Unto Me relative to complex a cappella chords. Can you break that one down next?
This is by far my favorite video ever. Seeing your enthusiasm and excitement for harmonies and rhythms of afrocuban music is awesome and makes me happy. Please keep making these videos man, I need someone else to flip out over crazy dissonances and rhythms with. 😂
Charles you blow me away with your ability to translate what you hear onto the piano
I’ve been in a lot of choirs with a few awards to collect dust, and I’ve heard a lot of great vocal groups along the way. But I have never heard anything like this! This group is the gold the World Music river has been depositing under a newly flipped over boulder.
I have heard this song for almost 10 years several times a year, it never ceases to send me to another place. They Harmonize and sing in Yoruba which is already something very unique. This package is much more than just singing, it is a dense spiritual experience as well. These girls are way ahead of any vocal group I have ever heard. It's spirit, soul and music at its very best!
It's gorgeous, the chords do absolutely work, but what's amazing to me is that they get all that color and harmonic richness with JUST FOUR VOICES! And it flows super smoothly.
Thank you for sharing this amazing music with us. In a world where most music discovery now happens through algorithms that aren't actually very good at figuring out our tastes, it's great to have someone who's still like "Hey, check this cool thing out."
Saying "YIKES" positively is a whole ass vibe I'm stealing it
Breath taking, Amazing Talent!! 4 lady's with Perfect Pitch.
Those harmonies... so good! Reminds me of Take 6 and Committed. Thanks for sharing with us about Sexto Sentido, wow!
Yesssss!!!! I immediately thought of Take 6 too!
The Idea of North also
Let's add Pitch Slapped in here.
Blown away is the perfect term to describe it. And what you said about the difficulty to stay in tune while doing four parts harmonies remind me of an old video cassette by Manhattan Transfer, shot about their "twilight zone" period, maybe earlier, and you see them rehearse "Jeannine", around a piano, each taking turn to try to get his/her part right, and you can feel the difficulty of threading acrobatic different lines together into lush harmonies......and they have a pianist to work with (and a band, later in the clip). I'm so glad you introduced me to Sexto Sentido, they are the best thing I've heard for a long, long time. Ladies, I bow in front of you !
Like Take 6... but female... and Cuban. Very talented❤
I remember hearing 'tiny habits' and thinking "this is the tightest complex harmony I've heard". Especially when singing live with Lizzy McAlpine on tiny desk. But yea.... After hearing this. There's a new winner ❤️🌈
I love that you and your channel exist. ❤
Hail Yoruba and Haussa and all Nigerian people. Tunes from the heart of Mother Africa. So excellent singers , angelic voices.
Many mothers sing lullabies in that manner in Africa.
Thank you for introducing us to them! Wow!!!
Just don't know what to say.. completely blown away by this! Completely lost for words....
Charles, thank you for showing us the coolest music ever on the regular basis!
I love it when you use your fame to help spread different artists, especially when they are listed. Good work you beautiful gentlemen
Elite level stuff. Amazing.
i'd like to say i'm a pretty good alto but my God i cannot FATHOM how on earth these guys are hitting that harmony with precision that scary...... thank you Charles as always for spreading the word of beautiful music
Guys?
Completely blown away indeed! Thanks for showing me this incredible music
If you like gorgeous vocal harmonies, I advise to to absolutely check out Bulgarian folk/choir music. "Vila Sei Gora" or "Kaval Sviri" are good places to start. It has loads of interesting jazz-like harmony similar to this. "Aishinko, Pilya Shareno" is stunning, especially 1:40-2:40, WOW, those harmonies! Some of it uses glissandos and non-tonal vocalizations to make some incredibly striking music (See "Altun Maro - Ensemble Pirin").
He has a whole video on Bulgarian folk!
Yeah, he has already covered Kaval Sviri
I found Cuban music via salsa music, and it's really interesting to me how far Cubans will push harmony even in dance music, and how eclectic they are in including jazz, classical, and old African elements
Do you sing/ What I do when I sing in a group is, because I can't sight-read (I'm too blind), I memorize every sound I have to make, and then just focus on that. IF I AM PERFECT< I will blend. I'm also putting a lot of trust in the others to be perfect, of course, but my pitch hearing is good enough that it's painful to me when things are off. Weirdly enough, I don't have perfect pitch, but I know what makes me say "Ow.". And HOLY CRAP, they're fabulous!
And this is part of why I love your channel!
Thank you for bringing this music to our attention!
This is honestly up there as some of the best vocal harmony I've ever heard.
Also loves Charles's passion for his craft and instrumental/classical music and others 😸
Hey Charles, I think you should definitely consider making a video about Chopin. He deserves a spotlight because he made significant contributions to piano techniques and harmony. While it might not be directly comparable to jazz, his innovations were a major step forward in the world of classical music. As someone who has analyzed a lot of old and classical music, I've concluded that Chopin's work has had an impact, albeit indirectly, on the evolution of jazz (polyrythms, phrasing, structure, harmonies that takes you to nowhere, textures and so on). I also want to add that this man heavily influenced other composers such as Debussy and Rachmaninoff.
I recommend featuring some of his well-known pieces, such as his Ballades (especially 1, 3, or 4), Wrong note etude, Op. 10 No. 3, Op. 9 No. 2, Op. 48 no. 1, his Etudes, and "Winter Wind," among others. Chopin's music offers a rich and intriguing perspective and it would be dope to see you make a video about him.
This is amazing....the epitome of musical bliss. Why music will always be transcendent
If you haven't already, check out "Something" by Snarky Puppy. Lala Hathaway splits her voice and harmonizes with herself at one point. It's crazy
This makes *me* do the Charles Cornel "HOOOOOooooo!"
Incredible. Reminds me a lot of Free Samba, sung by The Manhattan Transfer on The Chick Corea Songbook
Those harmonies remind me of Take 6. These women are very talented. Reminds me of the Bulgarian womens chorus. The dissonant chords sung and resolved by them had some magical effect on me. Ill never forget how i felt hearing it.
Good stuff.
The voices are just heavenly! Wow!
Thank you Charles! I've been asking you to analyse this music for quite a while now (few years?), I'm thrilled!!! Thank you for the breakdown mate!
What is it?
What blows me away about jazz harmonies is how you can have just a bunch of wacky dissonant chord that sound jumbled alone but then somehow sound so calming and settled in context.
hell yes give me all of this you have and twice on sundays. I feel it in my bones. these are mesmerizing harmonies. hopefully there's lots more, please.
Normally I get pretty frustrated with reaction type videos where the person is having a meltdown. But I actually think your mind=blown reaction is totally justified here. Did it to me too! Going to head over to their page right now!
Man, you can’t even understand how excited I am to have stumbled on this video!! WHOA! N ur excitement just makes it so much better 🤯😂
If this kind of a capella goodness is right up your alley and you’re really digging for something similar, I’d HIGLY recommend that you check out The Singer’s Unlimited’s arrangement of Nature Boy. That song is the perfect blend of traditional & jazz. Goosebumps for sure!!!
Beyond talented! Such an amazing piece created by this group
That he can isolate those notes by ear is impressive!
The harmonies hit my heart and made me cry. WOW!
Beautiful, there is an a cappella group from Africa that is awesome as well. I sang in a barbershop chorus for years, while those harmonies were more “traditional” we still loved doing the right dissonant chords. Beautiful stuff. Just what I needed, another rabbit hole to go down!!
In Brazil, more specific, in Bahia (Northeastern side), this variable rhythm is actually one of so many patterns from our African religion based called Candomblé. The name of it is "vassi".
Thank you for this video. Made my day in so many levels...