CD Review: Anya Malkiel – From the Heart

Anya Malkiel – vocal; Randy Porter – piano; John Wiitala – acoustic bass; Jason Lewis – drums; Jim Schneider -  tenor saxophone & flute; Christian Tamburr – vibraphone.

(Review by Debra M.)

This is the debut album from St Petersburg  raised  American jazz singer Anya Malkiel.  With an intimate atmosphere  created by her quiet, languid vocal and a sympathetic ensemble of musicians, she explores a  range of well-known and less familiar standards with sensitivity. The opening  relaxed, swinging blues ‘Fine and Mellow’ sets the tone , and  features an expressive  tenor solo from Jim Schneider . 

However, her vocals are more compelling  in  tracks such as ‘I Thought About You’, where a restrained introduction of voice and piano is transformed into a lively Latin number by the arrival of rest of the ensemble. ‘Invitation’ has a contemporary feel, underpinned by a bass groove and some fluid vibes from arranger Christian Tamburr. An up tempo ‘There Will Never Be Another You’ showcases Malkiel’s fluid scatting, which also goes down well in ‘Beautiful Love’.  The latter is well-arranged, with a short introduction of bowed bass and piano, giving  a classical mood, which  continues  interspersed with swinging sections throughout the piece. One of the strongest, yet quietest tracks, is the final ‘Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child’;  stripped down to a vocal and double bass duet, Malkiel sings of being ‘a long way from home’ and this clearly comes straight from the heart.

Amazon samples.

Anya Malkiel – From the Heart was released earlier this year.

Debra M.