THREE NEWER SOUNDING SINGERS: Marcus Goldhaber: Almost Love, Letizia Gambi: Introducing…, Joy Mover: Joy Mover

Here are a pair of vocalists that aren’t trying to sound like anyone except themselves. Even better, they veer off the heavily trodden path of standards and either do the writing themselves, or use modern (or classical) composers for creating their own songbook. Give them both a try!

Marcus Goldharber has a sort of smooth and subdued Chet Bakerish-Mark Murphy delivery for the most part, relying on a hushed and breathy deliver. Oh, he can belt out the bopping blues with the best, as he’s off to the races on “As Long As I’m with You” and “Somebody in Love,” but most of the time he keeps it cool and collected. The stellar supporting team of Jon Davis/key, Martin Wind/b, Pellitteri/perc, John Hart/g and Joel Frahm/sax can go James Taylor mellow as on “Love Me Tonight” or Lisztian bluesy as on “Hide Away.” Goldhaber hangs ten as he surfs over the samba groove of “If I Knew Better” and is subdued and gentle on the Gaellic sounding “Almost Love.” His delivery is as crafty as a late inning Greg Maddox.

Italian vocalist Letizia Gambi is a discovery of drummer Lenny White, who also pens a few of the tunes here. He brings together a who’s who of musicians to join in the debut: Gato Barbieri/sax, Ron Carter/b, Chick Corea/p, Gil Goldstein/p-arr, Wallace Roney/tp and Patrice Rushen/p are all used to perfection. All of this would mean nothing if she didn’t have the musical goods, and she does. She’s got a husky and earthy Mediterranean sound that is as warm as an Adriatic sunset. She can sing here in a variety of languages, going English on a version of Donizetti’s “Una Furtiva Lagrima” that has a caravan-esque mystery to it, or go Portuguese on the Afro-Cuban “Appocundria” where he voice cuts through the percussion and strings like a Cold Steel knife. Her delivery on “Soli” in Italian with strings arranged by Goldstein evokes romantic walks around Piazza Navona. Her modern pop sound on “A Time” and “My Town” neither add nor detract from her allure, while her brooding ballad “The Love of Your Life” and the lullabye reading of “O Sole Mio” mix tenderness, vulnerability and an underlying confidence in her world. Impressive debut. Molto di piu!

Joy Mover mixes her own modern sounding compositions with a handful of cleverly arranged standards on this upbeat disc that includes a team of Mike Levine/p, John Paul/g, Lee Levin-Lee Levin/dr and Jamie Ousley/b. Her takes of chestnuts like “Nature Boy” and “Dream a Little Dream of Me” have a nostalgic sense to them without being maudlin. Her voice, clear in delivery with a hint of nasal charm, includes warm harmonies on “Maria’s Song” and “Only The Wind” that keep the music enjoyable. A haunting spaciousness is evident on a lovely piece “Midnight Oil” that will keep drawing you in as well. Enjoyable

 

Fallen Apple Records

www.randexpr.com

 

Jando Music

www.jandomusic.com

Joy Mover Music

www.joymover.com

1 comment for “THREE NEWER SOUNDING SINGERS: Marcus Goldhaber: Almost Love, Letizia Gambi: Introducing…, Joy Mover: Joy Mover

Leave a Reply