Donna Lewis - Brand new Day
(Whirlwind Recordings. WR4688. CD Review by Alison Bentley)
Double take- was this really the Welsh singer Donna Lewis, who had a massive worldwide pop hit in the 90s? Recording with the members of the Bad Plus? It is the very same- and a very fine recording it is, balancing her emotive voice with the modern architecture of the jazz piano trio.
Her own three compositions stand out- Lewis sings with a particular vulnerability and openness. Sleep has lots of space, Lewis’ voice breathy with an astringent twist, reminiscent of a Scandinavian style of jazz singing (from Sidsel Endresen to Emilia Martensson.) ‘There’s no hiding here,’ she sings, as some notes fade into pure breath over an understated back beat. The energy builds with thrumming bass (Reid Anderson) and a touch of drum ‘n’ bass from Dave King.
Lewis’ Brand New Day has a languidness, and an almost gospel feel to the open piano chords, framing the voice. There’s a strong, acoustic arrangement of her 1996 hit I Love You Always Forever, subduing its anthemic qualities into gentle hip hop. The arrangement is by her producer David Torn, recalling Robert Glasper’s arrangements for Gretchen Parlato. Ethan Iverson’s arpeggios billow beautifully behind Lewis’ soft bluesy drawl. The coda is irresistible, building with tricky piano riffs and glorious cymbals that get under the skin as much as the vocal lines.
(Whirlwind Recordings. WR4688. CD Review by Alison Bentley)
Double take- was this really the Welsh singer Donna Lewis, who had a massive worldwide pop hit in the 90s? Recording with the members of the Bad Plus? It is the very same- and a very fine recording it is, balancing her emotive voice with the modern architecture of the jazz piano trio.
Her own three compositions stand out- Lewis sings with a particular vulnerability and openness. Sleep has lots of space, Lewis’ voice breathy with an astringent twist, reminiscent of a Scandinavian style of jazz singing (from Sidsel Endresen to Emilia Martensson.) ‘There’s no hiding here,’ she sings, as some notes fade into pure breath over an understated back beat. The energy builds with thrumming bass (Reid Anderson) and a touch of drum ‘n’ bass from Dave King.
Lewis’ Brand New Day has a languidness, and an almost gospel feel to the open piano chords, framing the voice. There’s a strong, acoustic arrangement of her 1996 hit I Love You Always Forever, subduing its anthemic qualities into gentle hip hop. The arrangement is by her producer David Torn, recalling Robert Glasper’s arrangements for Gretchen Parlato. Ethan Iverson’s arpeggios billow beautifully behind Lewis’ soft bluesy drawl. The coda is irresistible, building with tricky piano riffs and glorious cymbals that get under the skin as much as the vocal lines.
read more: http://news360.com/digestarticle/Xp_Sq1x58k62yiKVojvNKA
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