CLARE FOSTER - Kumbhaka
Self Release
(Available from Bandcamp)
Clare Foster - Voice, Arranger; Shanti Jayasinha - Arranger, Cello, Trumpet; Flügelhorn, Percussion; John Crawford - Fender Rhodes (except track 11); Andrés Lafone - Electric Bass, Tamborile (tr 9); Andrés Ticino - Drums & Percussion, Tamborile (tr 9); Guillermo Hill - Guitar, Tamborile (tr 9); Neil Angilley - Fender Rhodes (track 11); Sue Jarvis - Voice (track 11); Davide Giovannini - Backing Vocals (track 4); Mick Foster - Alto, Tenor, Baritone saxes, Bass Clarinet; Fayyaz Virgi - Trombone (tracks 4,10); Karen Tweed - Accordion (track 2)
No recording date given
Clare Foster seemed to disappear off my radar for some years, and it appears that the loss was entirely mine. The last album I had the pleasure of hearing was The Music And I from 2003, and I have managed to miss three further albums between 2009 and 2015 prior to the release of this stunning new set.
With a steady stream of albums over the last years, Foster is far from prolific, but she is consistent in the quality of her work and always able to bring something new, original and fresh to each new project. She has a distinctive and readily identifiable voice that has a flexibility and range that is truly impressive.
The inspiration for Kumbhaka comes from Foster's love of jazz and Latin American music, and along with some original compositions and favourites from the Great American Songbook she has set about creating some fresh arrangements, each incorporating different feelings and grooves from Spain and South America. Sharing arranging duties with partner, Shanti Jayasinha, Foster has secured the services of a top notch rhythm section of John Crawford on Fender Rhodes, bassist Andrés Lafone, and Andrés Ticino on drums and percussion who are masters of this style of music. Crawford's use of the electric piano give proceedings a beautifully buoyant feeling that lifts each and every track.
Listening to this album one is immediately struck by the superb arrangements of the chosen material, and the clever deployment of the horns. Mick Foster's bass clarinet is just right for a superbly judged 'No Moon At All'. This is in contrast to the all-out horn section with the punchy riff on the opening 'Who Will Buy'. There are little touches and attention to detail that delight throughout, for example Guillermo Hill's contribution on guitar on 'I'll Remember April' is very understated but completely makes the arrangement come quietly alive.
Not one to hog the limelight, Clare shares vocal duties with Sue Jarvis who sings in Portuguese, and wrote the Portuguese lyrics on 'Quem Canta Os Males Espanta', with a lovely Fender Rhodes solo, this time from Neil Angilley. And talking of original compositions, one should not overlook the beautiful 'The Silent Space' that Clare has dedicated to her mother and features a lovely string arrangement and a sublime cello solo by Shanti Jayasinha and is a wholly appropriate way to close this fine album.
Do not make the same mistake that I have, and miss out on hearing one of our most original and versatile vocalists, and ensure that you check out this album, and Clare's other recordings available from Bandcamp.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Self Release
(Available from Bandcamp)
Clare Foster - Voice, Arranger; Shanti Jayasinha - Arranger, Cello, Trumpet; Flügelhorn, Percussion; John Crawford - Fender Rhodes (except track 11); Andrés Lafone - Electric Bass, Tamborile (tr 9); Andrés Ticino - Drums & Percussion, Tamborile (tr 9); Guillermo Hill - Guitar, Tamborile (tr 9); Neil Angilley - Fender Rhodes (track 11); Sue Jarvis - Voice (track 11); Davide Giovannini - Backing Vocals (track 4); Mick Foster - Alto, Tenor, Baritone saxes, Bass Clarinet; Fayyaz Virgi - Trombone (tracks 4,10); Karen Tweed - Accordion (track 2)
No recording date given
Clare Foster seemed to disappear off my radar for some years, and it appears that the loss was entirely mine. The last album I had the pleasure of hearing was The Music And I from 2003, and I have managed to miss three further albums between 2009 and 2015 prior to the release of this stunning new set.
With a steady stream of albums over the last years, Foster is far from prolific, but she is consistent in the quality of her work and always able to bring something new, original and fresh to each new project. She has a distinctive and readily identifiable voice that has a flexibility and range that is truly impressive.
The inspiration for Kumbhaka comes from Foster's love of jazz and Latin American music, and along with some original compositions and favourites from the Great American Songbook she has set about creating some fresh arrangements, each incorporating different feelings and grooves from Spain and South America. Sharing arranging duties with partner, Shanti Jayasinha, Foster has secured the services of a top notch rhythm section of John Crawford on Fender Rhodes, bassist Andrés Lafone, and Andrés Ticino on drums and percussion who are masters of this style of music. Crawford's use of the electric piano give proceedings a beautifully buoyant feeling that lifts each and every track.
Listening to this album one is immediately struck by the superb arrangements of the chosen material, and the clever deployment of the horns. Mick Foster's bass clarinet is just right for a superbly judged 'No Moon At All'. This is in contrast to the all-out horn section with the punchy riff on the opening 'Who Will Buy'. There are little touches and attention to detail that delight throughout, for example Guillermo Hill's contribution on guitar on 'I'll Remember April' is very understated but completely makes the arrangement come quietly alive.
Not one to hog the limelight, Clare shares vocal duties with Sue Jarvis who sings in Portuguese, and wrote the Portuguese lyrics on 'Quem Canta Os Males Espanta', with a lovely Fender Rhodes solo, this time from Neil Angilley. And talking of original compositions, one should not overlook the beautiful 'The Silent Space' that Clare has dedicated to her mother and features a lovely string arrangement and a sublime cello solo by Shanti Jayasinha and is a wholly appropriate way to close this fine album.
Do not make the same mistake that I have, and miss out on hearing one of our most original and versatile vocalists, and ensure that you check out this album, and Clare's other recordings available from Bandcamp.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
