“Troubled Soul Refinery” by Taalam Acey
Book Review
By: Carmen B. Smith
If you are familiar with the
world of Poetry Slams and Spoken Word, chances are you have heard of Taalam Acey.
Since 1999 he has been traveling the globe to share his work. He has nine CDs
but had yet to publish any of his poetry in written form, until now. “Troubled
Soul Refinery” (TSR) is a 340 page collection of Acey’s poems from 1998-2007.
Spoken word lovers have awaited this manuscript since Taalam’s first book “Eyes
Free,” an award-winning memoir that gave the purest account of what it is to be
a full time traveling spoken word artist. TSR offers the gift of Taalam’s work
that covers topics from Social to Erotic, Political to Depression, Love, Rants
and Spirituality; with that range, there are sure to be a number of poems for
everyone.
“The ultimate beauty of the book is found in the author’s brutal honesty.”
In Acey’s third book, he presents an introduction to each chapter, giving
insight into how he came to write each piece and how they have been received by
audiences when performed. He takes you on a journey, citing times and places,
outside influences and inner demons, and points out the issues that matter to
him most. TSR not only leads you down the path of a poet’s writing process, but
it leads you to your own path of self discovery since many of the lines can
simultaneously pierce and heal the soul.
There are over ninety poems in this collection. Not only do they inspire and
provoke deep thought but they are rich with teaching, bestowing a wealth of
African American History and Heritage. The reader is challenged to investigate
and revisit many historical and political figures, leaders, activists and
artists that Taalam references, such as:
“And
from there,
she discusses Rodney’s
“How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”
And compares that
To Kwame Nkrumah’s
“Neo Colonialism:
The last Stage of Imperialism.”
There are over sixty such references throughout the book, yet each piece remains
relevant for today and timeless for decades to come. The Political and Social
poems address, with no holds barred, the many issues that have plagued this
country, from Hurricane Katrina, the crack epidemic, problems with hip hop,
AIDS, misguided youth, police and the prison industrial complex, to 9/11. This
manuscript can be woven into the curriculum of any literary, socio-political or
history class at the top universities around the nation.
“Troubled Soul Refinery” is an intense display of the constant conflict of life,
which is balance. From one end of the spectrum to the next, Taalam continuously
aims to balance his subject matter. He goes from encouraging brotherhood to then
sharply confronting men about their neglected responsibilities. He deals with
overcoming suicidal depression to superseding one’s
calling in life. And in true Slam
Poetry fashion, there are lyrical boasts that balance the poems that edify and
uplift the peers of his art form as well as vivid womanizing pieces that are
countered by the most heartfelt love poems, in which he refers to women as the
“closest thing to G*d.” The frail humanity of the poet is sincerely felt through
his words. His contrasting and varying attitudes are also attributed to the fact
that this work spans over a decade.
“Troubled Soul Refinery” is an intense display of the constant conflict of
life, which is balance.”
The ultimate beauty of the book is found in the author’s brutal honesty. This is
honesty that most of us yearn for but rarely get
today. It is raw and uncut, endearing and vulnerable. Acey holds no punches when
dealing with people who have brought down the community or in expressing erotic,
loving and sensual spells. He is also quite transparent in divulging his
personal life. The introspective rant “Motels & Couches” makes you feel as
though you have traveled internationally with Taalam to numerous poetry venues
and motels, all the while giving you insight into his witty comedic and
sarcastic nature. The essays and interview at the end of the book also
thoroughly educate the reader on the history and current state of spoken word.
I once heard that Acey taught a class on ‘Creative Genius and Mental Illness;’
this is somewhat fitting. As you move through the pages of the book, it becomes
clear that not only are you reading the work of a “troubled soul” but also one
of the most talented wordsmiths and speakers of truth to power for this
generation. “Troubled Soul Refinery” is sure to leave “indelible fingerprints on
your heart” and have you “reaching for your higher self”.
For more information on Taalam Acey visit : www.taalamacey.com or Myspace/officialtaalamacey