Olivia
Foschi – voice; Miki Hayama – keys; Michael Olatuja – bass; David Rosenthal –
guitar; Ulysses Owens Jr – drums.
(Review by Debra Milne.)
Olivia
Foschi (Foo-Ski) spent several years developing her jazz voice in the US and in Italy
Most of the album’s songs are original, with
a few additional numbers including two Italian tunes. The lyrics are thoughtful
and well written, and the music has a contemporary jazz feel, whilst drawing on
jazz tradition. Her ensemble of established, highly regarded musicians is
extremely sympathetic, and the dynamic arrangements provide opportunities for
all the instrumentalists, notably in the opening number Here’s That Rainy Day, and
in Everything
Happens To Me, both of which have great
harmonica by Gregoire Manet. Daydream,
a beautiful ballad in which Foschi dwells on memories of love, features Mike Cottone, with a tender,
sweet-toned solo on flugel horn. Alone Together is the most up
tempo and rhythmic number, which culminates when the bass, piano and vocal
riffs come together as a backdrop to a driving drum solo. The selection of
instrumentalists in particular tracks accentuates the stylistic breadth of the
album: Foschi and the piano trio really get swinging in I Adore You; in
contrast, the bossa My Ideal, a duet with guitarist David Rosenthal, highlights Foschi’s warm clear tone throughout her
vocal range, and also her relaxed, rhythmic scatting style. Altogether, an
outstanding début album.
Self released March 11, 2013
Debra M.
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