Denatale, Jesse

***Jesse DeNatale's new album The Hands of Time, is, in a word, reverential. It is at times, symphonic and at other times pulsing forward with a rawness and power of rhythm he says stems from his Mexican/Italian roots. The California native says when it came to this record, it was about cutting through the noise, not over-planning the production, but rather chasing the mystery and fragile reality that is in a kind of recovery-mode from the pandemic. Though the ten songs on the record range in topics from love and gratitude to sorrow and to the horrors of gun violence. It's the notion of time itself, with its power and irreversibility, that appears in every song. Jesse DeNatale's music has been described as evocative and hopeful, a combination of poetry and storytelling. His records include the critically acclaimed Shangri-La West Soul Parade and The Wilderness. Over the years his love of various musical genres has inspired him to expand his ideas of songwriting as he continues to find a way to reflect the realities of being alive. Rich with imagery, intelligence and passion, his music remains timeless. Its soulful accessibility is what has garnered him praise from other artists and has kept his devoted fans listening. Features contributions form Tom Heyman, Paul Olguin, Nino Moschella, Alisa Rose and The Zemlinsky Quartet.