A beautiful musical journey

Robert D. Grandinetti
Elspeth Savani’s sophomore release, Flights of Mind, takes the listener on a beautiful musical journey with its fusion of Latin, jazz, and pop music.

Tracks such as “No Volvere” bring you to a small smoky club where the men and women dance the Tango until dawn. “Snow Language,” in which Savani sings in both English and Spanish, will remind listeners of Joni Mitchell’s catalogue from her jazz-fusion period during the mid-'70s. “Isla,” perhaps Savani’s most musically ambitious track, flies you to an island fiesta without getting on a plane.

The strong imagery comes from both the singer and her quartet. Savani’s voice caresses each lyric whether she’s singing in English or Spanish. Her musicians, especially pianist Julio Jauregui, provide mind blowing solos and back-up vocals that are on par with the singer.

Savani’s background as the leader of Zarabanda, a Cuban big band, keeps Flights from being mislabeled as “Smooth Jazz,” because she knows how to construct a song and showcase her musicians without sounding bland or repetitive.

Flights assures that Latin jazz is in good hands with Savani’s quartet. They achieved the rare distinction of fusing modern and traditional sounds without throwing the listener off to what they’re listening to.

So, go ahead and book a Flight with Savani and her quartet. It’s a first-class way to get through the upcoming cold winter nights. - http://thecelebritycafe.com/reviews/beautiful-musical-journey-10-15-2011