Album review: Aquakultre’s 1783 shares the power of community, stories, and knowing your roots

What first started as a curiosity for me grew into a new fandom for R&B, soul, and gospel maestro Aquakultre, a.k.a. Lance Sampson. His newest album 1783 came out Feb. 6 and was an incredible listening experience.

Hailing from Halifax, Aquakultre earned notoriety nationwide after winning CBC’s Searchlight contest for his songwriting back in 2018. He’s released more music since, from singles to albums, resulting in his past work being recognized at the Polaris Music Prize and Prism Prize awards. His latest album title pays tribute to the time when the first Black Loyalists migrated to Nova Scotia following the American War of Independence.

Each song is imbued with an immense level of calm and patience. Just hearing the first set of fuzzy keyboard tones, cymbals, and rim knocks from the first track, the album effortlessly envelops you with the R&B and soul grooves from Aquakultre’s soothing vocals. 

It makes you want to drop everything you’re doing and just sit down with the music, to sit down with Aquakultre, and let the stories from his life and the Nova Scotian community comfort you. 

The album also reflects Aquakultre’s research into his heritage and roots, as well as his respect and diligence with the stories he’s uncovered about his community. He maintains a sensitivity that balances his songs with his province’s history. Aquakultre is a master craftsman with his music. Above all, he always keeps his African-Nova Scotian culture front and centre. 

An admirable takeaway is when Aquakultre takes the time to show respect to the Black elders of his community. He includes audio recordings spread throughout the album featuring old women telling their stories with heartfelt piano pieces playing out. He breaks away from singing to present humbling interludes about the ageless and timeless value of wisdom and experience.

Aquakultre doesn’t stray away from telling even more serious themes about the world. The song “Make That Change” uses rap segments and R&B vocal flourishes with drum dribbles and soft keyboard chords as a call to stop violence and hatred. Moreover, the track continues reminding us of the ever-growing importance of connection and community. 

Another theme of his work is parenthood. Around the final tracks of the album, the complicated history between parents and children is shared bravely. The love and praise for parents are boldly conveyed by the loud, passionate gospel of “Matriarchs.” And yet, the endless cycle of historical pain in families is never forgotten in “Father’s Fresh Start.” Aquakultre touches our minds and hearts with these details. He humanizes familial identity.

Aquakultre not only dives into stories about his life and his identity as a Black man from Nova Scotia — he also dives into other languages to allow the album to expand its emotional scope. While mostly English tracks, the album suddenly surprises us with the French song “La Joux.” The artist provides refreshing moods while showcasing Canada’s unique music cultures.

In the end, 1783 is a story about how personal identity is rooted in your community and the importance of passing on stories across generations. The artist uses his music to fully embrace life for all its facets — the good and even the bad.

As far as I’m concerned, Aquakultre is one of the best R&B and soul singers working today. He makes Canada’s music scene and his Nova Scotian home proud. What are you waiting for? Drop everything and just sit down with him. 

1783 is available to stream on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, and other music streaming platforms. If you’re ever in Nova Scotia, you can catch the artist perform live this summer on Aug. 15 at King’s Theatre.