Breaths

A combination of two LPs--1982's Good News and 1989's We All...Everyone of Us--Breaths provides a passionate, rich, politically charged perspective on Sweet Honey's early work. The group shows their emotional range and intellectual convictions as clearly in this nascent work as in later releases. From the philosophical lullaby "Breaths" to the declarative civil-rights offering "Ella's Song," this album serves as a forum for these brave-voiced women to unfold their ideals and passions with wisdom and care. Aside from the powerful original compositions, Breaths contains a handful of tender, musically ripe arrangements of other people's poetry: June Jordan's "Oughta Be a Woman," Kahlil Gibran's "On Children," and Birago Diop's title track. Each illustrates the group's ability to draw music out of words as well as set words to music. --Sally Weinbach