The maternal wisdom of Josh Stokes' 'Bobette'
Baltimore polymath Josh Stokes presents an album cycle ode to his mom — Bobette; press photo courtesy of the artist.
Maternal wisdom and influence impacts us in ways beyond calculation and forms of measurement. Mothers have the power to give us a more expansive and inclusive outlook toward our communities and the world, they guide us with their earthly knowledge and have the power to show us a better way of living than we can collectively find from within. They inspire and direct us toward a higher ground, the points where understanding becomes overstanding and our spirits and minds become enlightened with illuminations that shine brighter than 10,000 suns. They nurture us. Raise us. Inspire us. Impart a glow that influences us for the rest of our lives, one that can be complicated to unpack yet one that has an indelible effect on all of our living days.
In this maternal tradition of infinite inspiration is the new Josh Stokes’ album Bobette, taking its name from Stokes’ mother who left the material world on December 20, 2006 but a spirit that lives on in perpetuity. Her lessons of creativity, imagination, individuality, self love and love for others shines on in one of Stokes’ most staggering works to date. Incorporating styles that span the world over and back again to the Baltimore beat — Bobette is a dedication to an inspirational figure whose influences live on in infamy; eternally.
The record begins with "Announcements" that blends a tabernacle doxology with suave airport lounge chic, leading into the electric psych rock spectacular "Release the Love" that invites all to participate at an altar of global communion. The bombast of "Blast" kicks it old school with Stokes' trademark fusions of new meets vintage boom bap that keeps the energy fresh and quick stepping in a fancy free motion. Incorporating gabber house rhythms into a hyper delivery that builds off the mountain that Death Grips built; Josh sends out a message of solidarity with "NO WAY", before slowing it down a bit on the syrup stepping splendor of "Thank You For Being You". The piano ballad "Don't Take My Heart" recalls a vintage Luther Vandross-styled vignette, as "Pancakes" rocks and rolls like a modern day gospel revival with vocal assists from fellow luminaries Bobbi Rush and Omnia Azar keeping the praise and message of the good news going strong with "Hold Your Head God".
Personal confessions strike at the heart on "Selfish" that starts off "Round & Round" that eulogies Stokes' mother in a tribute of love that carries through on the nouveau funk energy of "You Always Loved Me". A message of positivity abounds everywhere such as the pulpit message of "Be Encouraged", delivering further gospel harmonics with "Can't Take", entertaining interludes like "Main Man", to uplifting cinematic works like "Oprah" that shine with the unlimited power of a love supreme. Slowing the Euro beat down a bit is the ode to empowerment "Power" that also features Bobbi Rush while "Dew" shines like the shimmering solar beams that bring about a brand new day. "Freedom" is built around charged poetics and drum fills, delivering more sermon sound bites with "Parents" that dovetails into the concluding r&b anthem "Living Testimony" that only clocks in at half a minute and resonates like a lost Boyz II Men outtake delivered like a postlude benediction. Bobette stands tall as a remarkable dedication to Josh Stokes' mother and greatest inspiration and shines as one of the most ambitious works in the Baltimore artist's catalogue.
Josh Stokes shared exclusive reflections on the motherly impact Bobette had on his creativity, passions, visions and more:
I believe the mother is the original teacher. The children always reflect the parents, whether we know it or not. My parents, but mother specifically always displayed and encouraged individuality, imagination, creativity, love for self and for others. Through her life, she showed me I didn't have to be a one dimensional person. To use all my gifts, and be excellent in any opportunity. Because of her I was able to remove the walls that were placed around my life from systematic governing, and was able to create my own world and discover true possibilities my life had to offer. The legacy of my mother will live on through me!
Josh Stokes’ Bobette is available now everywhere courtesy of Internet & Weed.
Album cover for Bobette; courtesy of Josh Stokes & family.