CARMEN SOUZA - The Silver Messengers
Galileo Music GMC087
Carmen Souza – vocals, piano and guitar; Theo Pascal – bass and double bass; Elias Kacomanolis – drums; Ben Burrell – piano with guests Zoe Pascal – drums; Jonathan Idiagbonya – piano; Sebastian Sheriff - percussions
Carmen Souza, born in Lisbon in 1981 to a family of Cape Verdeans and relocated in London, has released a tribute to Horace Silver, whose father was from the same islands. This is her ninth album which includes two original compositions (Silver Blues, Lady Musika) alongside nine Horace Silver reworkings. This is not the first time the singer has released tracks written by Silver, there are versions of 'Song for My Father' on two of her previous albums and 'Cape Verdean Blues' has been recorded on her 2015 album Epistola. This is, however, the first time she has released an entire album dedicated to a major influence.
The excellent Ben Burrell and Jonathan Idiagbonya share the piano chair while Souza picks choice notes for her unison voice/piano solos. There’s a relaxed vibe around the whole album, even throughout the more frenetic tracks, Souza’s voice weaves in and out, a little too low in the mix. Although the press release urges a reviewer to target 'Senor Blues' and 'Soul Searching', the standout track is 'St Vitus Dance' for its compellingly rhythmic piano-stab backing and Souza’s bebop vocals, while second in line is the three-quarter time 'Pretty Eyes', another track that has previously been released by Souza.
There are five Autumn tour dates listed for the UK tour of this band, all in the South East of England. Check out carmensouza.com for more information.
Reviewed by Martha Freeman
Galileo Music GMC087
Carmen Souza – vocals, piano and guitar; Theo Pascal – bass and double bass; Elias Kacomanolis – drums; Ben Burrell – piano with guests Zoe Pascal – drums; Jonathan Idiagbonya – piano; Sebastian Sheriff - percussions
Carmen Souza, born in Lisbon in 1981 to a family of Cape Verdeans and relocated in London, has released a tribute to Horace Silver, whose father was from the same islands. This is her ninth album which includes two original compositions (Silver Blues, Lady Musika) alongside nine Horace Silver reworkings. This is not the first time the singer has released tracks written by Silver, there are versions of 'Song for My Father' on two of her previous albums and 'Cape Verdean Blues' has been recorded on her 2015 album Epistola. This is, however, the first time she has released an entire album dedicated to a major influence.
The excellent Ben Burrell and Jonathan Idiagbonya share the piano chair while Souza picks choice notes for her unison voice/piano solos. There’s a relaxed vibe around the whole album, even throughout the more frenetic tracks, Souza’s voice weaves in and out, a little too low in the mix. Although the press release urges a reviewer to target 'Senor Blues' and 'Soul Searching', the standout track is 'St Vitus Dance' for its compellingly rhythmic piano-stab backing and Souza’s bebop vocals, while second in line is the three-quarter time 'Pretty Eyes', another track that has previously been released by Souza.
There are five Autumn tour dates listed for the UK tour of this band, all in the South East of England. Check out carmensouza.com for more information.
Reviewed by Martha Freeman
