Listening to Herbie Hancock's harmonies over Wayne Shorter’s compositions helped her bridge the gap from her classical training to jazz."The way my jazz chops developed was twofold. I developed acoustic straight ahead and electronic fusion playing equally over time," she says. After launching a quintet called Nardis, she studied with Joanne Brackeen and Richie Beirach.
Rachel Z graduated from the New England Conservatory with a 'Distinction in Performance' award while working professionally in the Boston area with performers like Bob Moses, Miroslav Vitous and George Garzone. Returning to New York in 1988, she toured with New England Conservatory schoolmate turned rhythm & jazz superstar saxman Najee and later co-wrote album Tokyo Blue. While performing and recording steadily with the classic fusion band Steps Ahead from 1988 through 1996, she also worked with Al Di Meola, Larry Coryell, Special EFX, and Angela Bofill, and began a fruitful association with producer/vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. Mainieri produced her Columbia Records debut Trust the Universe in 1993. Reflecting the influence of Corea, Hancock, and even Pat Metheny, the CD featured the jazz radio hit 'Nardis.'
Her connection to saxophone great Wayne Shorter grew from major influence to full-blown collaborator over the two years she worked on his hit comeback album High Life, for which she built a synthesized orchestral framework to crystallize his musical vision. Rachel Z also played acoustic piano on the album and was musical director for the tour that followed. The CD won a Grammy for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. 1996 also saw the release of her NYC Records debut A Room of One’s Own, which she dedicated to the many women artists who have played an influential role in her life. Two years later Rachel released an album on GRP, Love is the Power, an album that featured hip-hop grooves with melodic piano flourishes and poems about the search for eternal love and wisdom through music.
Rachel returned to acoustic music, in an all-female trio setting, with On the Milky Way Express, her well-received tribute to Wayne Shorter, in 2000.
Riot
Rachel Z Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What if you unraveled your life
What if you began to feel again what if you lost your heart and then
What if you became undone
What if dreams unveiled you tonight
What if you believed this was right
What if you began to feel
What if you became
A man tonight
Riots rage
Across your heart
Gently rocks the dark
What if darkness failed you tonight
What if you began to walk the light
What if you becan to feel again
What if you lost your heart again
What if you became
Undone
One to one
What if you lost yourself in she
What if you found yourself- believe
What if you found yourself -set free
What if you lost yourself in me...?
The lyrics of Rachel Z's song Riot explore the idea of self-discovery and the fear that comes with it. The first stanza speaks to the fear of unraveling one's own life and losing oneself completely. The line “what if you lost your heart and then” could be interpreted as losing oneself emotionally or losing sight of what they truly desire. However, the song suggests that this fear is necessary for true self-discovery. The second stanza emphasizes the idea of dreams and the potential for them to unveil oneself. The line “what if you believed this was right” could be interpreted as coming out of denial and accepting who one truly is. The third stanza suggests that one can only become truly whole once they've faced themselves and begin walking the path that is right for them. The line “what if you lost yourself in she/me” shows the potential for self-discovery through others and through love.
The chorus emphasizes the chaos that self-discovery can bring about. The line “riots rage across your heart” suggests that emotions can be intense and overwhelming, but through it all, there is the potential for growth and a new beginning. The line “gently rocks the dark” suggests that the journey is not an easy one, but it is worth it.
Overall, the song encourages self-discovery and the courage to face oneself, even if it means losing oneself in the process. It acknowledges that the journey is not easy, but it is necessary for growth and fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
What if darkness failed you tonight
What if the negative emotions you're holding onto failed to consume you tonight
What if you unraveled your life
What if you let go of what you think you know or what society calls success
What if you began to feel again what if you lost your heart and then
What if you opened yourself up to emotions and the possibility of heartbreak
What if you became undone
What if you let yourself become vulnerable and lost control in the process
What if dreams unveiled you tonight
What if you were authentic and followed your true aspirations tonight
What if you believed this was right
What if you had faith in yourself and your decisions
What if you began to feel the things that you have never revealed
What if you let yourself feel the emotions you've never allowed yourself to express
What if you became a man tonight
What if you became mature and decisive in your choices tonight
Riots rage
Strong emotions are stirring within you
Across your heart
These emotions are affecting you on a deep level
Gently rocks the dark
The negative emotions that once held power over you are slowly fading away
What if you began to walk the light
What if you chose to follow what truly makes you happy
What if you lost your heart again
What if you became emotionally invested in something again
What if you became undone one to one
What if you allowed yourself to unravel and become vulnerable with someone else
What if you lost yourself in she
What if you became fully invested in a relationship with someone
What if you found yourself- believe
What if you found your true self and believed in yourself
What if you found yourself -set free
What if you achieved a sense of liberation by discovering your true self
What if you lost yourself in me...?
What if you let yourself become fully invested in a relationship with me?
Contributed by Savannah Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.