Ocacia
Encyclopedia
Ocacia is an international smooth jazz
studio and performance group. Ocacia is known for their socially conscious lyrics. The music is characterized by some as "escapist" in the usage of space, chords and ethnic overtones. The chord structure has an absences of "thirds" and is similar to other African Diaspora
and African classical music by its “drum and bass” dominance. Not all the music fits into the smooth jazz canon, as some of it is more in the film score
world. Their first album was released in 1999. The original members of the group were Owen 'Alik Shahadah
(Piano/keyboards), Natasha Odlum-Shahadah (voice), David Hadley (Bass), Brian McCooke (drums). In 2002, Natasha Odlum left the group and Nadia Kanouche became the new lead feature vocalist. Ocacia works as a studio group composing soundtracks and is also known to work with other artists such as Sona Jobarteh and M.K. Asante, Jr.
The name Ocacia is an African name derived from acacia
.
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
studio and performance group. Ocacia is known for their socially conscious lyrics. The music is characterized by some as "escapist" in the usage of space, chords and ethnic overtones. The chord structure has an absences of "thirds" and is similar to other African Diaspora
African diaspora
The African diaspora was the movement of Africans and their descendants to places throughout the world—predominantly to the Americas also to Europe, the Middle East and other places around the globe...
and African classical music by its “drum and bass” dominance. Not all the music fits into the smooth jazz canon, as some of it is more in the film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
world. Their first album was released in 1999. The original members of the group were Owen 'Alik Shahadah
Owen 'Alik Shahadah
Owen 'Alik Shahadah is a director, African writer, and scholar. He is best known for authoring works, which deal with African history, social justice, environmental issues, education and world peace...
(Piano/keyboards), Natasha Odlum-Shahadah (voice), David Hadley (Bass), Brian McCooke (drums). In 2002, Natasha Odlum left the group and Nadia Kanouche became the new lead feature vocalist. Ocacia works as a studio group composing soundtracks and is also known to work with other artists such as Sona Jobarteh and M.K. Asante, Jr.
The name Ocacia is an African name derived from acacia
Acacia
Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees belonging to the subfamily Mimosoideae of the family Fabaceae, first described in Africa by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1773. Many non-Australian species tend to be thorny, whereas the majority of Australian acacias are not...
.
Selected track list
- If I...
- Tear for the World
- Crossing the Teneire
- Netsante
- Give me the day
- Come into the sunshine
- Absent Sun
Albums
| Title | Release | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Other Side of the Moon | 1999 | Souljazzfunk |
| Music of the Diaspora | 2006 | Souljazzfunk |