On The Corner Records releases brilliant debut from Oakland poet Tenesha The Wordsmith
London’s On The Corner label releases the highly forward-thinking full-length debut from Oakland-based poet Tenesha The Wordsmith.
Titled Peacocks and Other Savage Beasts, this incredible nine-track recording features hard-cutting and moving spoken word vocals that touch upon the intersection and complexity of identity, culture, trauma, and love. The album was produced by On The Corner label mate DJ Khalab, who fuses together jazz, African folkloric textures, and electronic dance grooves with Tenesha’s powerful lyrics, capturing a strong Afrofuturism vibe and narrative.
The recording also notably features special guest saxophonist Tamar Osborn from the breakthrough London-based band Collocutor on the track “Again”, and Italian pianist and ECM recording artist Giovanni Guidi playing synths and Fender Rhodes on “Peacocks…” and “Bastard”.
Overall, this is a brilliant debut from the Bay Area poet, and another remarkable release from the On The Corner label. Uniquely original, Peacocks… is absolutely one of the year’s best records.
Tenesha The Wordsmith — ‘Peacocks and Other Savage Beasts’
(On The Corner)
- Dangerous Women 01:09
- Why White Folks Can’t Call Me Ngg 05:00
- Bastard 03:49
- The Collection 03:16
- Corny Ass Poem 02:09
- Madea 02:06
- Peacocks and Other Savage Beasts 03:27
- Again 03:44
- Dream So Loud