Naia Kete and Heather Maloney both write evocative music that urges peace and harmony. Both are under 25 and both boast full-bodied, knock-you-dead vocals. Both have Western Massachusetts roots. And most importantly, both have CD release parties coming up this month.
Naia Kete, the 18-year-old daughter of musicians from the reggae group Black Rebels, releases her new album, Land Upon A Star, at the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.
In the lyrical tradition of Bob Marley, Kete calls for political change in a slate of soulful, catchy songs. Her passion and energy are apparent in her performances, as is her faith in the revolutionary power of music. In the song "Prisoner" from her previous album, Sweet Music, Kete sings out her purpose: "Much of my life is spent devoted to the politics of this country/ diggin' through a pile of lies and still searching for the truth/ hunched over from the weight of the hate that's been forced upon me/ tryin' to hold the power I feel unites us in our youth."
Heather Maloney's music seems bound for a spiritual fulfillment that is more personal than political. Inspired by her experiences in a meditation retreat, the 23-year-old urges acceptance in songs such as "Let It Ache": "If your heart is aching let it ache/ let it tell you how it is to be a/ human heart/ let it tell you how it is to be the/ whole universe/ in a body part." A few rock 'n' roll moments also burst through in the otherwise mournful landscape of her upcoming album Cozy Razor's Edge. Her CD release party is Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. at the Rendezvous in Turners Falls.
