In an industry increasingly driven by the instant gratification factor, it’s rare to find an artist willing to let an album gestate a whole year before declaring it complete. It’s rarer still to leave the finished product in a vault another year whilst refining the creative team and art direction. That’s exactly what Alejandra Ribera did in preparing the long-awaited release of her second album, La boca. (Pheromone Recordings). Following the success of Ribera’s self-produced Navigator, Navigather in 2009 and after being discovered by CBC Radio during her residency at Toronto’s legendary Cameron House, Ribera began performing at folk, jazz and world music festivals across the country (Festival International de Jazz de Montreal and Luminato Festival). Her sound, unmistakable as it is undefinable, has garnered the attention of her contemporaries. She was invited to sing “I Am Cuba” on the Skydiggers album She Comes Into the Room and performed alongside blues queen Jackie Richardson, Steven Page (ex-Barenaked Ladies), Teddy Thompson, the Art of Time Ensemble and Quartetto Gelato at Koerner and Massey Hall respectively. At the moment most artists would feel pressure to return to the studio, Ribera decided to leave the country.
Alejandra Ribera – I Want
“I wasn’t ready to record, so I went to Spain to collect my thoughts.” What resulted was the crafting of her first three Spanish songs and a landmark decision to enlist the help of Montreal-based producer Jean Massicotte (Pierre Lapointe, Patrick Watson). “I needed someone I trusted implicitly, and Jean’s work told me he was that person. I waited three years until he was available. The day we met, I knew I made the right decision.” Two weeks later Alejandra moved to Montreal to commence recording. Upon arriving, Ribera received a second affirmation via an invitation to perform at an hommage for the late Lhasa de Sela at Montreal’s Rialto Theatre. The show included guests Ariane Moffatt, Plants and Animals, Andrew Whiteman (Apostle of Hustle) and Brazilian singer Bïa. It would prove a prophetic introduction and led to repeat performances in France with Patrick Watson and The Barr Brothers at Printemps de Bourges. It also inspired a collaboration with esteemed musician and producer Yves Desrosiers. A similarly fated introduction to French singer Arthur H resulted in the only duet that appears on La boca. Jean Massicotte had previously produced Arthur’s duet “La chanson de Satie” with Canadian star Leslie Feist.
Alejandra Ribera – I Want (Official Video)
Alejandra Ribera – I Want Lyrics:
You had the gun, I had the horse. We took a photograph.
Now I can’t find my way back. All that I’m grieving was a dream.
I’m down this rabbit hole. Even this madness cannot shield my soul.
There’s so much labor just in breathing lately. x3
I want the ocean open up before me. I want the aching of a melody.
I want a comrade to share this with me. I want, I want just to want just a little something.
I want to feel the power of a song. I want the light to carry me along.
I want to feel the wind upon my skin. I want the life-force back in my blood again.
I want the ocean open up before me. I want the aching of a melody.
I want my comrades to share this with me.
Alejandra Ribera – I Want (Live)
Take these seeds and burn them all. So they don’t take root in me.
I cannot face upstream. He abandoned ship to join a war. Hope he’s victorious.
The water level is rising in this Styrofoam cup.
There’s so much labor just in breathing lately. x3
I want the ocean open up before me. I want the aching of a melody.
I want a comrade to share it with me. I want, I want just to want just a little something.
I want to feel the power of a song. I want the light to carry me along.
I want the mist upon my skin. I want the life-force back in my blood again.
I want the ocean open up before me. I want the aching heart of a melody.
I want a comrade to share it with me.
I want, I want just to want a little something.
