For some reason, I find myself attracted to duo groups consisting of related members, not because of who they are, but by their music which seems to have a certain breadth to it. I recently reviewed an album by the Ocelots who are a pair of twins, but we have also reviewed several other sibling groups, and a number of duos consisting of spouses, with a some of those marriages springing from their musical collaboration. This time, we have another one of those, a couple whose has been going for 20 years now. The group is called HuDost. who have just released their latest album called The Monkey in the Crown.

HuDost are Miksha Sommer and Jemal Wade Hines, who met at a festival in North Carolina celebrating the Persian poet and mystic Rumi. Ms. Sommer had traveled from Montreal, and was doing some singing in the midst of dancers at the festival, when she caught the ear of Wade who was playing frame drums. They were quickly drawn to each other, and began their musical and eventually marital partnership. They have also been activists in an organization called ONE, working to “end extreme poverty.” Along the way, in 2008, Ms. Sommer endured brain surgery to remove a tumor, and required a long rehabilitation period. But she relearned language and musical skills, and started a family, with their eldest son born in 2013. Over the years, HuDost have been touring extensively, sharing the stage such artists as Ani DiFranco and Philip Glass.

Sommer and Hines’ life experiences and activism shape many of their songs, but with a strong melodic pop sense, and near-art-rock style production on their new album. Unlike many of the spouse and sibling groups we have featured, vocal harmonies are not their thing. Ms. Sommer does all the lead vocals and overdubs harmonies, with subtle contributions from Hines,who is the multi-instrumentalist. Among the guests on the album are the duo SistaStrings, who play violin and cello with Brandi Carlile. Regulars on the album include bassist Dan Walters, Charlie Lowell, of the Jars of Clay band on keyboards, and Chris Powell on drums.

Their songs often deal with trying to cope with an uncertain world, something that seems so appropriate in these dark times. Some address bigger issues, while others are more personal.

Opening is Fire of Eden making references to the fires, droughts, and floods brought on by the climate crisis, and wondering if we have gone too far. <<>>

On a more personal level lyrically, but with a big rock sound, is Circle Back Again about trying to acknowledge and recover from one’s mistakes. <<>>

A song called Sol Searcher (Upon the Water) was inspired by some adventurous friends traveled the world in a small boat called Sol Searcher, seeking personal discovery. <<>>

One of the most lyrically acute songs is Acting Out the Outrage broadly addressing social and cultural conflicts, and how they affect the people who are the subject of on-line scorn. <<>>

Another song with a strong message is Broken Down in America, inspired, as parents, by the fear of school shootings. <<>>

A semi-autobiographical song is Child of Children is based on the life of one of member’s father who was the son of very young parents, and the challenges he faced and overcame. <<>>

Shine On (Nick of Time) is a kind of rock ballad urging for one to be compassionate in a time of uncertainty. <<>>

With a similar call for encouragement is the song Age of Indifference which contains the phrase they used as the album’s title, “the monkey in the crown”. The group cranks it up for a kind of big rock anthem sound. <<>>

The Monkey in the Crown, the new release from the 20-year musical and nearly as long marital partnership HuDost is a worthwhile album of articulate rock marked by great vocals, and slick but tasteful production. The duo of Moksha Sommer and Jemal Wade Hines create pleasing, thoughtful songs that often reflect their activism, with the uncertain state of the world a frequent backdrop, though most encourage optimism.

Our grade for audio quality C Plus. The mix blends well, but Ms. Sommer’s vocals are compressed to the point of sounding overdriven and the whole recording lacks much of any kind of dynamic range, spoiling the often interesting arrangements.

HuDost have come up with a pleasing, intelligent album that again shows that musical partnerships within a family can be a very good thing.

(c) Copyright 2025 George D. Graham. All rights reserved.
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<<>> indicates audio excerpt played in produced radio review

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