Album artwork for Songs Of An Unknown Tongue by Zara Mcfarlane

Brownswood bang on target again with Zara McFarlane’s, Songs of an Unknown Tongue, a masterful work that underlines her continuous growth as an artist. Zara’s fourth studio album pushes the boundaries of jazz adjacent music via an exploration into the folk and spiritual traditions of her ancestral motherland, Jamaica.The album is a rumination on the piecing together of black heritage, where painful and proud histories are uncovered and connected to the present. Partnering with cult South London based producers Kwake Bass and Wu-lu, Zara has created a futuristic sound palate, electronically recreating the pulsing, hypnotic rhythms Kumina and Nyabinghi – and the music played at African rooted rituals like the emancipation celebration Bruckins Party, and the lively death rites of Dinki Minki and Gerreh. These richly patterned electronic rhythms are balanced throughout by McFarlane’s distinctive, clear vocal tones, and vivid song writing.Zara’s critically acclaimed third studio album ‘Arise’ met with universal critical praise, and was supported by an impressive live tour performing at festivals such as Love Supreme, Field Day and SXSW. Zara is the winner of multiple awards including a Mobo, 2 Jazz FM Vocalist of the Year Award (2018 & 2015), an Urban Music Award, and Session of the Year at Worldwide Awards. Drawing respect from a wide range of artists, Zara has collaborated with Gregory Porter, Shabaka Hutchings, Moses Boyd and Louie Vega.

Zara Mcfarlane

Songs Of An Unknown Tongue

Brownswood Recordings
Album artwork for Songs Of An Unknown Tongue by Zara Mcfarlane
CD

£8.99

Released 17/07/2020Catalogue Number

BWOOD209CD

Learn more
Album artwork for Songs Of An Unknown Tongue by Zara Mcfarlane
LP

£14.99

Black
Released 17/07/2020Catalogue Number

BWOOD209LP

Learn more
Zara Mcfarlane

Songs Of An Unknown Tongue

Brownswood Recordings
Album artwork for Songs Of An Unknown Tongue by Zara Mcfarlane
CD

£8.99

Released 17/07/2020Catalogue Number

BWOOD209CD

Learn more
Album artwork for Songs Of An Unknown Tongue by Zara Mcfarlane
LP

£14.99

Black
Released 17/07/2020Catalogue Number

BWOOD209LP

Learn more

Brownswood bang on target again with Zara McFarlane’s, Songs of an Unknown Tongue, a masterful work that underlines her continuous growth as an artist. Zara’s fourth studio album pushes the boundaries of jazz adjacent music via an exploration into the folk and spiritual traditions of her ancestral motherland, Jamaica.The album is a rumination on the piecing together of black heritage, where painful and proud histories are uncovered and connected to the present. Partnering with cult South London based producers Kwake Bass and Wu-lu, Zara has created a futuristic sound palate, electronically recreating the pulsing, hypnotic rhythms Kumina and Nyabinghi – and the music played at African rooted rituals like the emancipation celebration Bruckins Party, and the lively death rites of Dinki Minki and Gerreh. These richly patterned electronic rhythms are balanced throughout by McFarlane’s distinctive, clear vocal tones, and vivid song writing.Zara’s critically acclaimed third studio album ‘Arise’ met with universal critical praise, and was supported by an impressive live tour performing at festivals such as Love Supreme, Field Day and SXSW. Zara is the winner of multiple awards including a Mobo, 2 Jazz FM Vocalist of the Year Award (2018 & 2015), an Urban Music Award, and Session of the Year at Worldwide Awards. Drawing respect from a wide range of artists, Zara has collaborated with Gregory Porter, Shabaka Hutchings, Moses Boyd and Louie Vega.