FLORENCE
JOELLE – LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL IF YOU LET IT
A great sort
of old-school vocal jazz session – one that takes its classic vibe so
seriously, it was recorded in glorious mono! Yet even the lack of stereo
separation can't dim the brilliance of vocalist Florence Joelle – who can sing
equally well in French and English, which she does here throughout on a set of
beautiful original tunes – numbers that were mostly penned by the singer
herself, with a cool sort of postwar, left bank jazz-based sound – and set to
backings by a cool combo that includes chromatic guitar lines from Thierry
Courault, plus flute and light percussion – and a bit of added trombone and
organ on a few cuts. Titles include "Wake Up Swinging", "Two
& Two Don't Make Five", "One Step Forward Two Steps Back",
"Chez Moi", "Sleepy Eyes", "Live Is Beautiful",
and "Angel's Child". ~ Dusty Groove
LUCIA
CADOTSCH – SPEAK LOW
Such a cool
little record – one that's quite different than the usual sort of jazz vocal
session, thanks to some very "mouthy" tenor work from Otis Sandsjo,
who almost acts as a second sort of singer on the set! Lucia Cadotsch is in the
lead, with just the bass of Petter Eldh as the third element in the set – and
her own vocals are often mirrored by inflections from Otis on the tenor – with
a really compelling sound that articulates a beautiful space between the lyrics
and the basslines, and completely transforms the tunes! Cadotsch is a slightly
moody singer, but the use of tenor and bass really transport her elsewhere – on
titles that include "Slow Hot Wind", "Strange Fruit",
"Ain't Got No I Got No Life", "Don't Explain", "Deep
Song", "Some Other Spring", and "Gloomy Sunday". ~
Dusty Groove
KYLIE
AULDIST – FAMILY TREE
A sweet
change in sound from Kylie Auldist – an artist we know mostly for deep funk
work with The Bamboos on backup – but who steps out here in a style that's got
much more of an 80s soul vibe overall! The arrangements are full, funky, and
beautifully suited to Kylie's voice – pushing her even more out front than
before, with this soaring sort of energy that reminds us a lot of the first few
solo albums that Chaka Kahn cut with Arif Mardin – stepping out on her own away
from Rufus! The vibe here with Auldist is similar – proud, positive, and very
much her own woman – answering to no one as she blows us away even more than
before. Titles include "Sensational", "Too Easy",
"Saturday Night", "No Change", "Warming Up The
Sun", "Look Away", "Rewards", and "Good Time
Girl". ~ Dusty Groove
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