Recording her first album with some of the best Slovakian musicians, Hanka became friends with Cassandra Wilson, moved to NYC, performed in Europe with many jazz legends, such as drummer Taru Alexander and bassist Michael Bowie, and won many awards including the jazz category of the prestigious Slovak lifetime achievement awards.
The album is not simply jazz but also includes R&B, gospel, and Slovak folk music. Pieces range from McCoy Tyner's In Search of my Heart, Pharoah Sanders' As You Are and Abbey Lincoln's Throw it Away. Our singer's voice is a rich alto, well adapted to the various styles, from the heartfelt R&B of the opening track to the passionate plea about equality on Someday We'll All be Free, right through to the swinging Them There Eyes.
I liked some tracks more than others, for instance the folk song Dance Dance didn't quite work when sung sensuously. You'll be wondering what a fujara is, as listed below. Well I'd love to have a go on this instrument, which is a Slovakian flute used by shepherds. It is quite large and allows for overtones, with a deep meditative timbre, and it is featured on the final track, a doleful folk song about hiding your sadness.
This is an enjoyable, varied album, well
enhanced by excellent musicians, especially effective drumming on Through the
Fire and clever piano and sax solos on many tracks and of course the
fujara. The album is available
on Culture Bridge Records. See
hankag.com. Ann Alex
Hanka G (lead vocal) + (collective) Keesha Gumbs, Terelle Tipton, (background vocals); Shedrick Mitchell (organ, piano); James Hurt (piano, Fender Rhodes); Rodney Kendrick (piano); David Ginyard (electric bass); Rashaan Carter (electric/double bass); Taru Alexander, Nathaniel Townsley (drums); Sisa Michalidesova (flute); Veronika Vitazkova (fujara); Marvin Sewell (guitars); Sherrod Barnes (electric guitar); Antoine Roney (tenor/sop sax)
All the Man That I Need; Be Grateful;
Through the Fire; As You Are; Dance Dance; Someday We'll All be Free; Throw it
Away; Them There Eyes; In Search of my Heart; I am Such a Pretty Girl; Bird Has
Started Singing.
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