Roots rocker Adrian Sutherland from Canada’s Far North, and specifically the Attawapiskat First Nation on James Bay, brings us his singular sound on Precious Diamonds, a collaboration with Colin Linden, who not only produces but splashes his multi-instrumental talents all over the album. From the opening notes of “Notawe (Father),” one of two songs sung in Sutherland’s native Cree tongue, one can immediately sense Sutherland’s passionate approach and desire to celebrate his indigenous roots. Precious Diamonds is his second album following his solo debut, the 2022 JUNO nominated When the Magic Hits, also helmed by Linden, who rounds up his trusted colleagues that grace so many of his projects – Jim Hoke on saxophones, Jeff Taylor on accordion and dulceola, Gary Craig and Jerry Roe sharing drum duties, John Dymond on bass, and Linden’s wife, Janice Powers, on B3. Mickey Raphael even steps in with harmonica on a couple of tracks for these Nashville recording sessions.
Sutherland’s debut single “Politician Man,’ about the contaminated water that infiltrated his First Nation in 2019, later turned into a video, eventually earning several music and film awards. Sutherland, as mentioned, is not shy about stating his pride in his heritage and references that and the poisoned water in “My Rebel Spirit” with the lines “My songs don’t cut through the noise/I never been one to preach/Don’t drink the water its poison.” His “Boogeyman” is suitably haunting as he rails against that proverbial holy man dressed in black who tried to steal the souls of his indigenous peoples. The gently strummed acoustic standout “You Are Left Behind” is a warm, empathetic pean to the homeless and lonely. When he sings “Your Pain I see” his caring is palpable as the music swells to a crescendo behind Linden’s booming resonator.
By contrast, there’s an uplifting message of appreciating living in the moment in “Diamonds” as Sutherland urges us all to chill as “we’re like diamonds made from the sun.” “Kiyash (Before)” is the second tune rendered in his native tongue, one replete with the chanting on the choruses that we associate with Native American music. He spins the tragic tale of ‘old Jaban’ in the largely acoustic, vocal harmony imbued “The Storm” where the protagonist meets his ill-fated end in a courageous purposeful rescue mission. “Feeling of Love” is a rallying cry that stresses running with a positive spirit rather than one consumed by fear. The hook-filled chorus makes the song a virtual anthemic singalong.
A lilting groove underpins “Let It Shine,” a country-folk tune celebratory tune featuring Raphael’s harmonica and harmony vocals. With the lyrics largely in English, Sutherland also makes a couple of indigenous references. Weeneebaygo refers to the ocean while Gitchimunido references the “Great Spirit.’ The closing “Precious” marries a funky beat with Native chanting of “hey, hey, hey” with a reminder that his land is precious, thereby questioning those who would run from it.
Thematically, the album calls for unity between the Canadian and his Attawapiskat people. As such some tunes such as “Boogeyman” and “Feeling of Love” are cautionary while others such as “Let It Shine” reinforce the proud spirit. The many hooks and rootsy instrumentation draw you into Sutherland’s world, leaving an indelible impression.
