Samantha Lindo’s latest musical endeavour, Ancestry, is a captivating exploration of identity and heritage that seamlessly weaves together diverse genres and influences. This highly anticipated released has been funded by the Arts Council and the MOBO fund of Help Musicians UK.
Ancestry is a compelling album that explores the stories from Samantha’s family history, including her great, great grandfather—a black methodist minister who defiantly married a white Scottish teacher in Jamaica in 1880. It also explores the history of his son, the Conservator of forestry of the whole island, who planted and protected the trees that are now under threat from the extreme weather and flooding of the climate crisis, as well as her grandparents who came to the UK in the fifties as part of the Windrush generation, all framing the expression of themes of climate justice, dual heritage identity, and inter-generational healing.
Each track takes us as the listeners on a journey, and sees Samantha’s warm, soul-tinged vocal soar effortlessly over stunningly rich soundscapes. From spiritual jazz to retro soul and even spoken word, the album oozes colour, confidence, and creativity. The first track on the album, “Child In Me,” introduces us to the theme and sound of the entire work. The solo piano we first hear is soon joined by Samantha’s incredible vocals and later layered by haunting strings, all in perfect harmony.
On “Child In Me,” Samantha says, “The writing process was inspired by nostalgic memories of aunts, uncles, and wider family members and reflecting on how the magic and joy of those relationships form part of the fabric of who we are. Last written but first on the album, ‘Child In Me’ is about those people now, despite complexity and family conflict, with the purity and innocence of a child. In a wider sense, it’s also about seeing hope and possibility, and boldly imagining a different future when we face so much complexity and crisis.”
Further on in the album, we come to the track “Little Songbird,” Inspired by her great uncle who moved from Jamaica to Canada in the ’70s alongside thousands of middle-class Jamaicans fleeing political and economic upheaval after independence from Britain’s rule. The poetic song narrates the emotional realities of migration and formative relationships that span continents. Over the soothing and warm production, Samantha delivers a soul-gripping performance underpinned by expressive melodic runs and heartfelt lyrics that dwell on remembering and bringing forth the capacity to create communities of solidarity, counterculture, and resistance in the current climate of radical individualism.
Also noteworthy is the single “Like Family.” Years later—after her grandparents came to the UK in the late 1950s—Samantha’s grandfather took them on a trip when she was a child to find his old childhood house on an old sugar plantation. The song is based on a moment, a strong memory, of seeing him cry as they found his old house in ruins. “Like Family” is a touching and beautifully executed single, and is followed by the single “Shades of Yellow” which is a spoken word song that weaves words and sounds into a beautiful piece of music.
Growing up in South-West London and now based in Bristol, Lindo has been writing poems and songs since she was a child, using songwriting as a way to heal and express past trauma. Ancestry stands as a testament to her ability to create music that speaks to the heart, and we can’t wait to hear what she brings us next.
Ancestry is in stores now.
