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Nameless

by Dominique Fils-Aimé

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    45 RPM 12" Vinyl Record
    180 Grams Heavyweight Black Vinyl
    Sixth Pressing
    Artwork by Siou-Min Julien

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    Stunning Artwork by Siou-Min Julien

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1.
Southern trees Bear a strange fruit Blood on the leaves Blood at the root Black bodies swinging In the southern breeze Strange fruit hanging From the poplar tree Pastoral scene of the Gallant south The bulging eyes and The twisted mouth Scent of magnolia So sweet and fresh Then the sudden smell of Burning flesh Here is a fruit for the Crows to pluck For the rain to gather for the Wind to suck For the sun For the sun to rot For the trees to drop Drop Ahhhhh the trees to drop Strange and bitter crop Still strange and bitter
2.
Birds 03:40
So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly I just can’t figure out is it too late or too early Is it right on time Could it be right on If the crows set it right we could move out by dawn early Could be right on time Could be right on So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly Caught you staring at the ceiling Still traveling fears Thinking if you rise i rise Since we'll bee waiting for the morning light To heal the crumbling strength Thinking if the sun rise I rise I run I run I So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly So the sound of the birds taking off scared you last night Thought they were right to leave Right to use their wings to fly I can't figure out Is it too late Is it too early
3.
Home 03:06
Seems like sorrow Never done leave nobody alone Maybe by tomorrow We could loose the thought of owning But today I feel it I won’t be going home Yeah today I feel it I just won't be going home Got me walking on water Got me good Got me walking on water Got me good Seems the blues Got me got me good good Got me good La couleur de ton âme La couleur de ton âme La couleur de ton âme La couleur de ton âme Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Hmm Seems like sorrow Never done leave nobody alone Maybe by tomorrow Maybe by tomorrow
4.
Sleepy 03:21
I ain’t all that sleepy baby I ain’t all that sleepy baby I’ll be so glad When the sun goes down Grow my hair out When the sun goes I will carry my weight in gold even if you mind it Watch me while you still be minding me Getting what I want That’s when I get to Be by my baby Dream by my baby’s side I get to be by my baby I get to dream by my baby’s side How many roads you thought you’d string along While still writing on the wall Can’t deny the truth you bring Could surely break them all Instead we’ll meet by the river side Yeah I’mma wait by the river Cause I I will bury myself in gold even if you mind Watch me while you still be minding me Getting what I want That’s when I get to Be by my baby Dream by my baby’s side I get to dream by my baby’s side Be by my baby I get to be by my baby’s side Be by my baby I get to be I get to dream By my baby baby baby Who’d a thought our mind could go on Stretch that far Close your eyes and come with me Let’s watch it fall Perhaps look over for some comfort Why the city burning City burning down Feels good Meaning while I get to dream by my baby I get to dream I get to dream Cause I I ain’t all that sleepy baby Just wanna lie down I ain’t all that sleep baby Not gonna lie
5.
Nameless 03:51 video
Who's out there waking me up Don't you know I was out until four in the morning Who's out there shouting my name Don't you know it don't belong to me No more no more no more Cause I’m now nameless and shapeless and faceless Nameless and shameless and faithless I'm now nameless and shapeless and faceless I'm now free from what you wanted from me I'm now, I’m now I just could not step out could not step out could not step away from the Light As it was gushing before me Could not step on could not step on could not step on a ground that lied As it was lying before me I just could not step out could not step out could not step away from the Light Could not step on could not step on could not step Who's out there tearing the world apart Don't you know It's not Yours to break Yours to take Yours to shake down Cause I’ll be the river that fades in the sea I'll be the flower that fell from the tree Ain't no reason why The daze you dreamed your drowned in Should not be crawling in pain Nameless Faithless Nameless Shameless
6.
Rise 03:22
My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my Well it's early in the morning Sugar when I rise I rise Rise Said it's early in the morning Sugar when I Sug-sugar when I You done livin' in misery Bertha ah ah ah You done livin' in misery ah ah ah I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise Still I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise Still I rise I rise I rise I rise I rise ah My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my Told you I ain't been to Georgia Whoever done told it told a dirty lie Told you I ain't been to Georgia Humm the eagle on the dollar Unlike the eagle on the dollar You done livin' in misery Bertha ah ah ah You done livin' in misery ah ah ah You done livin' in misery Bertha ah ah ah When when you rise ah ah hum My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my My my my my my rise My my my my my
7.
Unstated 02:06
8.
Feeling Good 03:09
Fish in the sea you know how I feel River running free you know how I feel Blossom in the tree you know how I feel It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life For me And I'm feeling good Dragonfly out in the sun you know what I mean, don't you know Butterflies all havin' fun you know what I mean Sleep in peace when the day is done And this old world is a new world And a bold world For me Stars when you shine you know how I feel Scent of the pine you know how I feel Oh freedom is mine And I know how I feel It's a new dawn It's a new day It's a new life For me And I'm feeling good

about

Dominique Fils-Aimé [FEES-em-AY] opens her second album, “Nameless”, with an intimate vocal solo. One melody finds accompaniment with another—they multiply, creating a family of sound, related but independent. She crafts what sounds like an entire band out of layered vocals, establishing a minimalistic approach early on. Gradually, she brings in selective instrumentation balanced with a blend of intriguing vocal harmonies. Her voice glides over the track, guiding the music, grounding her body of work in a refreshingly human quality.

The opening cover song, “Strange Fruit”, sends a message—a testament of American racism, written in 1937 by Abel Meeropol and sung by Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. This song, when paired with the deep blue of the album’s cover art, references the history of African American music and the social realities that influenced the blues.

From this introductory cover, Dominique transitions into original compositions, introducing an upright bass, snapping fingers, and her slick, hushed and lyrical flow. This approach places her voice in the foreground and showcases her aptitude for finding fresh melodic movements. In the title track, “Nameless”, the opening vocal line loops throughout, mimicking that of a rhythm guitar or baseline, creating a foundation for other harmonies to branch out. By overlaying similar lyrics in a different time, she creates a sense of perspective. One melody is close up and sharp, while the other is drawn out and atmospheric. These techniques create a spaciousness, allowing the song some room to breathe.

In “Unstated” Dominique experiments with classical sounds. Her voice assumes the form of a string quartet, exemplifying her versatility. The drum sounds like a beat found in an R&B or rap record. Together, they provoke a dramatic, irresistible sway. Dominique has a sensibility for executing these experimental choices in a natural and effortless way.

The album's closing is similar to its beginning—solo vocals and a cover of, “Feeling Good.” By framing her original work within the bounds of these iconic blues singers, she is making clear that her sound is inspired and builds upon the talents of past generations. By interpreting these classic songs in a modern way, she is considering how she can play her part in furthering this musical tradition.

credits

released February 2, 2018

All songs written by Dominique Fils-Aimé (Ensoul Publishing) except for “Strange Fruit” written by Lewis Allan (ASCAP) and “Feeling Good” written by Leslie Bricusse, Anthony Newley (BMI)

Produced by Jacques Roy
All vocals: Dominique Fils-Aimé
Bass: Jacques Roy
Drums & percussion: Laurent Saint-Pierre
Keys: Jean-Michel Frédéric
Guitar: Étienne Miousse
Violin: Laurence Möller
Didgeridoo: Kevin Annocque
Photography: Kevin Millet
Artwork: Siou-Min Julien
Executive producer: Kevin Annocque

Recorded at Studios OPUS in Assomption (Quebec), Canada under the supervision of Daniel Lepage. Engineered by Jacques Roy.
Mastered by Harris Newman at Grey Market Mastering in Montréal (Quebec), Canada.
℗ & © Ensoul Records, 2018.

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Dominique Fils-Aimé Montreal, Québec

Dominique Fils-Aimé [FEES-em-AY] is a JUNO Award winning singer-songwriter from Montreal. Her ambitious album trilogy conceptualizes the history of African American music. Dominique reflects on the social realities that influenced the genres of blues, jazz and soul and channels that spirit into her own work. ... more

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