Music Notion
Where REAL Music Talks
‘NoteSpeak (In a Word)’ Lisa Marie Simmons and Marco Cremaschini
Words: A. Murray.
There’s no obvious entry point into “NoteSpeak (In a Word)” and that’s exactly what makes it compelling. It doesn’t ease you in or spell itself out. Instead, it unfolds gradually, like something you’re meant to sit with rather than instantly understand.
The collaboration between Lisa Marie Simmons and Marco Cremaschini thrives in that space of ambiguity. Rather than following a clear structure, the album drifts between moods and ideas, blending spoken word with fluid, genre-defying instrumentation. It’s not interested in fitting neatly into jazz, poetry, or anything else it exists somewhere in between, constantly shifting shape.
Simmons’ presence is magnetic without ever feeling performative. Her voice carries a sense of immediacy, as if each line is being discovered in the moment rather than recited. There’s a rawness to her delivery that pulls you in, not through volume or intensity, but through honesty. It feels personal, but never closed off, like she’s inviting you to interpret it in your own way.
Behind that, Cremaschini builds soundscapes that are subtle but deeply intentional. The arrangements don’t compete for attention; they create space. Piano lines drift in and out, rhythms tighten and loosen, and the overall feel is one of controlled unpredictability. Just when a track seems to settle, it shifts again.
The wider cast of contributors adds depth without disrupting the album’s cohesion. Each appearance feels like part of a larger conversation rather than a standalone moment, reinforcing the sense that this is a shared creative space rather than a fixed vision.
There’s also a constant tension running through the record, between stillness and movement, reflection and urgency. Some moments feel almost weightless, giving Simmons’ words room to breathe. Others lean into something more intense, where the music pushes forward and the delivery sharpens.
Echoes of artists like Gil Scott-Heron and Nina Simone can be felt in the album’s spirit — not stylistically, but in its intent. Like them, this is music that prioritises expression over expectation, substance over accessibility.
What lingers most is the album’s refusal to resolve. It doesn’t aim for a clear message or a definitive ending. Instead, it leaves space for interpretation, for reflection, for questions that don’t necessarily have answers.