Nite Bjuti (pronounced “Night Beauty,” inspired by a piece of Haitian folklore) is a musical trio of Black women, consisting of singer/songwriter Candice Hoyes, bassist Mimi Jones and Grammy award-winning sound chemist Val Jeanty.
The group's debut self-titled album was released on July 28, and is a poignant blend of jazz and electronic songs, all focusing on themes that describe the complexities of black womanhood.
Of the many themes covered in the album, the most prominent are those of diaspora, sisterhood, sexuality and magic. Additionally, there are many themes of intergenerational connection, along with the connection between the artists. This final theme is demonstrated through the use of complete improvisation on the album.
This technique highlights the themes of connection between the artists and the listeners, as they all realize the music at the same time. The artists shared their ideas of spiritualism, history, poetry and melodic intention with one another, and then discovered what each of these things meant as a whole while in the process of recording. Interspersed throughout the album are clips of the women talking to each other between recordings, which helps create an atmosphere of collaboration and in-the-moment discovery.
A facet of the album that makes it so incredible is the existential imagery created not only through the instruments but especially through the lyrics. In the song "Witchez,” the trio paints a picture of a history of women who have experienced the themes that the album covers.
Hoyes’ vocalizations on the album are undeniably haunting. They especially shine through in "The Window,” in which the singer's interpretation of the lyrics perfectly reflects the themes of liberation and self-actualization.
In addition to the soaring vocals, Hoyes utilizes a considerable amount of spoken word, sometimes displayed with seething anger and other times through soft whispers. A perfect example of this method is seen in "Illustrious Negro Dead," which is a perfect combination of the lyrical capabilities of the group and Hoyes’ personal genius as a performer.
While most of the album draws inspiration from electronic music, Jones lends her incredible capabilities as a bassist to give the entire album an underlying jazz theme. Her talent is highlighted in "Stolen Voice," a song that Hoyes describes as an expression of “the kind of pillaging, the uprooting of women in ways personal, intergenerational, familial, sexual, past and present.”
Finally, Jeanty ties the whole record together with her brilliant sound mixing. She utilizes ambient noises of nature, such as running water and the sounds of outdoor insects, to bring the album down to earth. The use of electronic drums and turntables in addition to the other musical elements creates an electric and dissonant atmosphere that drives the imagery of the album all the way home.
"Nite Bjuti" is a flawless ode to Black feminism and the narrative history and weight that comes with such themes.
The album is avant-garde and draws inspiration from all the right places to create a modernized perception of a long history of musical and community traditions. There are many voices that created the conversational album that is unlike any other record of the century and should be heard to create a firm understanding of its importance.
