Ruth Osman has lived and performed in T&T since 2005 and she’s grown to be a significant emerging voice locally, winning over fans with her unique, engaging sound. Now, eight years later, the young, Guyana-born, Caribbean jazz vocalist, flautist and songwriter is ready to release her debut album, Letting Go.
At a recording session at producer Jason Dasent’s Maraval studio last week, Osman was finishing up vocals for the CD and chatting about the recording process.
In the studio, surrounded by the colourful music-themed murals on the walls, a small group of her friends—including singers Eddie Cumberbatch and Raymond Edwards of QED, and corporate communications specialist Esuyemi Ogunbanke—were listening closely.
Osman said the album title is taken from one of the tracks, Letting Go. She explains: “It’s about releasing things— good and bad. I’m releasing the songs, pitting them out there. But it’s also about releasing the past. It’s about letting go of your inhibitions and all the reasons you feel you can’t do what you were born to do.”
In other words, she’s going for it. And this new album is a very strong next step.
Dasent played the opening track, The Sea. The song immediately showcased Osman’s development. The song features evocative lyrics, a polished vocal delivery and her original style. Her voice is clear and lovely, with a captivating vibrato flashing through. On The Sea, she is backed by her own voice in harmonies, heartbeat percussion by Richard Millien and Dasent’s musical arrangements.
The little group expressed their pleasure and started asking questions about the project. “I can’t wait to hear the album,” said Edwards.
Dasent praised Osman’s professionalism: “There’s two things Ruth is immune to: tiredness and mistakes.”
They’ve evidently made a good creative team, putting together ten songs in under two months. Dasent’s arrangements support Osman’s vocals and let her shine.
Dasent, who is blind, uses a voice-command programme called Voiceover, along with Mac’s Pro Tools. “I was wary about using electronic music,” says Osman, “but he has a really good feel.”
Let It Go also features guitar by John Hussain.
The CD’s eight original tracks include You Move Me, Rain (a duet with Hussain), Let it go, The People—which she calls her first protest song—You, New Blues, and Little Darling, written for Osman’s ten-month-old daughter Adia.
She also sings cover versions of the jazz standard Feeling Good and Dingolay by Shadow.
In studio, Sarah Joseph, Lizette Khan, Alisa Collymore and Candice Corbie recorded harmonies for Dingolay. Osman and Dasent worked with them to tweak the arrangement until it’s just right.
With Osman’s music, it’s not just about the sound; she is also a poet. Her lyrics reflect a quiet strength, a compassionate heart and a youthful optimism. Combining her words and world view with the gifts of her voice and musical talent, this music is the good stuff.
In studio, Dasent and Osman treated everyone to a live performance of You, a love song with little samba swing. He played evocative keyboards while she sang the emotive lyrics. The little audience was moved, and said so. But also notable was Osman’s vocal poise and form. The impromptu rendition could have been recorded as a credible take.
As she prepares for her launch concerts, her voice is in great shape.
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Let It Go will be recorded for a DVD/Blue Ray production on the first night. The shows will be produced by Golden Chord Management, which is run by Osman’s manager, Erica Ashton. The album was launched at the Little Carib Theatre in Woodbrook on July 6 and 7.