Here’s the problem with a singer that’s the quality of Luciana Souza; she’s released soft acoustic bossa nova, cool jazz, mainstream jazz, mainstream pop and even recitations of poetry. People that like only one style are going to be confused by something completely different, even though she’s mastered them all with her gorgeous voice. Most singers stick to one hand and keep playing it. Souza keeps asking for more cards.
On this latest exciting release, she mixes up Brazilia, Africa, jazz and even some folksy poetry, all with some extra dash of sounds and stylings to keep the ideas fresh. Her team of Lionel Loueke/g-voc, Gregoire Maret/harmonica, Massimo Biolcati/b and Kendrick Scott/dr-per is both experimental and forward thinking, able to create moody masterpieces with poems by Leonard Cohen on “Split” and “No One To Follow.” Other times, she abandons lyrics altogether, creating some exhilarating vocal percussion to the galloping guitar and percussion on her own “Straw Hat” and kinetic “At The Fair.” Loueke shows his influence as he and Biolcati create some sounds from the Gold Coast on “Free at Last” and the lovely and lonely duet between Loueke and Souza on “Hymn.” Few albums can sound like they are looking forward and yet still draw on previously winning methods as this one. A real charmer.
Sunnyside Records