I thought after listening to Kahlil Kwame Bell’s earlier recordings, he was going to run out of ideas for a third release. I was wrong. He shocked me again! I asked him about this live recording and his reason for putting it out. He said, “ I needed to document the experience of what my band does in a venue. In a recording studio, I plan everything, so to the listener it sounds very well thought out. This release is about the individual band members that I have been blessed to work with for over seven years now. Each musician told his or her own story through strong improvised solos within a structured piece of musical art.” What about your work on the slappaphone instrument? It sounds like you opened up more than usual. “ Actually, because this is a live recording, many people are curious to hear how I lead a band using an unpopular percussion instrument like the slappaphone. So my presence on it needed to be established strongly through improvisation.” What made you choose these songs? “ Since this is a two disc set, I wanted four songs from the first recording and four songs from the second recording. And, I also wanted songs that each musician could shine on.” What about drums and other percussion instruments that you play, I noticed that you are only playing on the slappaphone and kalimba, why is that? “ Well, this recording is more about the stories that my band members are telling through their instruments. But, I must say that because I do not work with these two instruments with other artists, it is crucial that my audience hear me present something entirely different from what I do with other performers. Thus, giving a new perspective of my individual artistry.” Well Kahlil, I am looking forward to your next release and I wish you success in showing more of this slappaphone instrument. Steve Beck Columnist