Jazz vocals can be used beyond singing the standards. Here are a couple intriguing examples
Trombonist Ryan Keberle leads a flexible and rhythmic team of Mike Rodriguez/tp, Jorge Roeder/b and Eric Doob/dr along with the lithe vocals of Camila Meza. The songs veer between percussive Latin groovers like “Madalena” and lofty melancholoia as on “ Mr. Azul.” The intriguing part is how Meza uses here cirrus cloud of a voice with wordless vocals as on the frisky and free “I Thought I Knew” within and without the brass support, singing in Spanish on the chugging “Cancio Mandala” alongside Keberle’s ‘bone, or brooding in English during “She Sleeps Alone” with melanancholy long tones with the two horns. Hints of both minstrels and festivals coincide and veer out of each other here. Quite fascinating and fresh.
Swiss born vocalist Gabriella Maertina’s first album plays lots of games with multi-tracked voices going upbeat and warm on the quirky “Narcissus” and going almost Renaissance choir-like to a yodel on “Witch Hunt.” She can create some dreamy pop-like harmonies on “On My Way” and holds back to create an irresistible tension on the driving and percussive “Origin.” The one to really raise the eyebrows is an almost Queen-like read with electrical guitars on a roller coaster ride during “A Night In Tunisia” while pulling out the passion plugs on a delicate piano duet on “Thirsty Flower.” A wonderful white knuckler.