Cassandra Wilson – Belly Of The Sun

Cassandra Wilson – Belly Of The Sun

A richly textured and deeply atmospheric album from Cassandra Wilson, Belly Of The Sun finds her expanding the boundaries of contemporary jazz into a warm, earthy blend of blues, folk, country, and Southern-rooted storytelling. Recorded in a variety of informal and studio settings, the record has a loose, organic feel that perfectly complements Wilson’s smoky, unmistakable vocal style.

Rather than relying on traditional jazz structures, the album moves fluidly between reinterpretations of classic material and original compositions, all unified by a distinctly soulful, American sound. Her version of The Weight transforms the The Band classic into a spacious, groove-laden meditation, while Wichita Lineman and Shelter From The Storm are reimagined with a stripped-back intimacy that highlights their lyrical depth.

Wilson’s original songs, including Justice, Just Another Parade, and Drunk As Cooter Brown, sit comfortably alongside these reinterpretations, reinforcing her strength as both interpreter and songwriter. The instrumentation - featuring acoustic guitars, slide resonator textures, percussion-driven rhythms, and subtle global influences—creates a rich sonic landscape that feels both grounded and exploratory.

Guest contributions and layered arrangements add further colour, from the rhythmic warmth of percussionist Cyro Baptista to the expressive guitar work of Kevin Breit and Marvin Sewell. The result is an album that feels lived-in, soulful, and deeply human.

Belly Of The Sun stands as one of Cassandra Wilson’s most adventurous and rewarding recordings—an album that blurs genre lines while staying rooted in emotional truth and storytelling tradition.

Tracklist:

1 The Weight
2 Justice
3 Darkness On The Delta
4 Waters Of March
5 You Gotta Move
6 Only A Dream In Rio
7 Just Another Parade
8 Wichita Lineman
9 Shelter From The Storm
10 Drunk As Cooter Brown
11 Show Me A Love
12 Road So Clear
13 Hot Tamales