Swansongs

Mark Anthony Thompson was born in Panama, raised in California, and molded by New York's music scene. Two solo albums before Cobain took over. The creation of Chocolate Genius Inc., an alter ego that quickly transcended such a title. Sound-expanding collaborations with Meshell Ndegeocello, Van Dyke Parks, Doveman, Cibo Matto, two thirds of Medeski, Martin and Wood, and Thompson's only constant, Marc Ribot. And then, a seemingly sudden glimpse of high thread counts and private jets on Springsteen's Seeger Sessions Tour in 2006, followed by an "emotional roller coaster" in Senegal. That one never quite left the back of Thompson's mind, a space shared with thoughts of strange coincidences and slaughtered animals, love and loss, family and friends. Music to match every valley and peak, free of genre constraints or any particular scene despite what you may have heard about Thompson's co-starring role in the "neo-soul movement." And now this: Swansongs, the final chapter in an extended trilogy (see also: 1998's Black Music, 2001's Godmusic, and Black Yankee Rock released in 2004) that's turned first-person tales into truth-seeking therapy sessions.