Louis Rosen’s musical settings of poems by the contemporary black poet Nikki Giovanni are a great leap forward in a career already sparkling with high points.

For those who are fans of Rosen’s song cycles based on the poetry of Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes—and his own South Side Stories—the Nikki Giovanni songs will be yet another revelation.

Last night at the CD release show for One Ounce of Truth: The Nikki Giovanni Songs (on PS Classics) at Joe’s Pub, the audience knew they were witnessing something very special. Indeed, a chance to hear Louis Rosen and Capathia Jenkins is always a treat but the added bonus of a  6-piece band (including Louis on guitar) made this performance something even more interesting and complex.

The new songs swirl through a variety of musical styles and moods, including blues, R&B, funk and the smooth Brazilian vibe of The Moon Shines Down and The World, two ravishing love songs. The Laura Nyro-esque Telephone Song is a joyous and giddy swoon of musical pleasure.

There is darkness in You Were Gone and One Ounce of Truth and humor and a sassy sexiness in a songs like, I Wrote a Good Omelet and That Day. The Black Loom, from a Giovonni poem dedicated to Nina Simone, is a showcase for the funky, soulful side of Capathia.

Not enough can be said about the smarts, musicality, and 2-octave
interpretative genius of Capathia Jenkins. She is a treasure to behold,
on CD or on the stage of Joe’s Pub.

One Ounce of Truth, is another chapter in Rosen’s musical exploration of black American poetry. The deceptively causal,  often funny and wise verse of Giovanni is a perfect companion to Rosen’s multi-timbered musical settings. Here’s what Nikki Giovanni had to say about the recording:

"I’m just a girl who writes poems and was lucky enough to find someone who writes music who found someone who sings like an angel so my work once again has this wonderful opportunity to reach out and embrace and tickle and lovingly dance with you. I hope you like it. The moon is still against the night singing loves songs to the stars."

Luckily, you have 3 more chances to catch this go-round of performances by Louis and Capathia: May 18, 19, 26 at Joe’s Pub