LAUREN BUSH - All My Treasures
Self Released - www.laurenbushjazz.com
Lauren Bush (vocals); Liam Dunachie (piano, fender rhodes); Andrew Robb (bass); David Ingamells (drums); Kieran McLoud (trombone); Brandon Allen (tenor saxophone); Miguel Gorodi (trumpet); Ian Shaw (background vocals)
Recorded 3-6 August, 2015
This is the debut album from Canadian born, but now UK resident, Lauren Bush and this wonderful album may well contain many peoples treasures as well as her own.
Having relocated from Canada to the London some four years ago to pursue her ambitions she brings with her a sound musical pedigree. The daughter of a jazz trumpeter father, having a music teacher for a mother has stood her in good stead and instilled in her an innate sense of good taste that has enabled her to bring out the best in her voice and her chosen repertoire.
With some tasteful arrangements from pianist, Liam Dunachie and some hired muscle from Branden Allen, Keiren McLoud and Miguel Gorodi, Bush is able to frame her vocals in a variety of line up from duo to a mini big band, with each setting serving the song as opposed to be variety for varieties sake or a different setting to hide behind.
In fact hiding is the last thing Lauren does (or should do) as her voice soars above the horns, or blends in an intimate dialogue with the rhythm section. Special mention should be made of Liam Dunachie's arrangements, but it is the superb playing of the band, and Bush's vocals that lift the music from the score to breathes life into the chosen repertoire.
Among some great solos from Dunachie, Kieran McLoud and especially Brandon Allen, Lauren does not just hold her own but brings her own personality and distinctive voice to the songs making her presence clearly felt. She sings with a pure voice and an impressive range, and never overdoes the vibrato.
The set kicks off with the hard swinging 'I've Got Just About Everything I Need' and immediately reassures that for the remainder of the album we are in safe hands, and can settle down and relax with the prospect of some great music to follow. Living up to the by now established high standard, Bush delivers a superb reading of 'Dindi' that is tender and heartfelt, yet the vocalist does not lose her own sense of belonging in the intensity and poignancy of the lyrics. Equally fine are 'Detour Ahead' and 'Secret Love' with an eventful solo from Brandon Allen and brilliant scatting. Not to everyone's taste, scat is an art in itself and one that Lauren appears to be quick to master with solos that are delivered with an innate sense of melody and swing, and a knowledge of when to bring to a close leaving the expectation for more hanging in the air. She also tackles Jon Hendricks's tricky vocalese on a a fun packed 'Doodlin' ' that rushes along at a break neck tempo.
Not afraid of paring things down, she performs the opening number with just rhythm section, and Bush tops the already high benchmark with the beautiful 'You're Nearer' performed as a duet with just piano accompaniment. Such is the beauty in this one track that I for one look forward to the prospect of a whole album of duets as Bush certainly has the voice that will hold the attention in such an intimate setting.
The most exciting thing about this debut is the knowledge that Bush has plenty more to say, and whether she sticks with repertoire drawn from the Great American Songbook or looks to branch out, we can rest assured that we have not yet heard the best from this young singer, and she will only get better.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
Self Released - www.laurenbushjazz.com
Lauren Bush (vocals); Liam Dunachie (piano, fender rhodes); Andrew Robb (bass); David Ingamells (drums); Kieran McLoud (trombone); Brandon Allen (tenor saxophone); Miguel Gorodi (trumpet); Ian Shaw (background vocals)
Recorded 3-6 August, 2015
This is the debut album from Canadian born, but now UK resident, Lauren Bush and this wonderful album may well contain many peoples treasures as well as her own.
Having relocated from Canada to the London some four years ago to pursue her ambitions she brings with her a sound musical pedigree. The daughter of a jazz trumpeter father, having a music teacher for a mother has stood her in good stead and instilled in her an innate sense of good taste that has enabled her to bring out the best in her voice and her chosen repertoire.
With some tasteful arrangements from pianist, Liam Dunachie and some hired muscle from Branden Allen, Keiren McLoud and Miguel Gorodi, Bush is able to frame her vocals in a variety of line up from duo to a mini big band, with each setting serving the song as opposed to be variety for varieties sake or a different setting to hide behind.
In fact hiding is the last thing Lauren does (or should do) as her voice soars above the horns, or blends in an intimate dialogue with the rhythm section. Special mention should be made of Liam Dunachie's arrangements, but it is the superb playing of the band, and Bush's vocals that lift the music from the score to breathes life into the chosen repertoire.
Among some great solos from Dunachie, Kieran McLoud and especially Brandon Allen, Lauren does not just hold her own but brings her own personality and distinctive voice to the songs making her presence clearly felt. She sings with a pure voice and an impressive range, and never overdoes the vibrato.
The set kicks off with the hard swinging 'I've Got Just About Everything I Need' and immediately reassures that for the remainder of the album we are in safe hands, and can settle down and relax with the prospect of some great music to follow. Living up to the by now established high standard, Bush delivers a superb reading of 'Dindi' that is tender and heartfelt, yet the vocalist does not lose her own sense of belonging in the intensity and poignancy of the lyrics. Equally fine are 'Detour Ahead' and 'Secret Love' with an eventful solo from Brandon Allen and brilliant scatting. Not to everyone's taste, scat is an art in itself and one that Lauren appears to be quick to master with solos that are delivered with an innate sense of melody and swing, and a knowledge of when to bring to a close leaving the expectation for more hanging in the air. She also tackles Jon Hendricks's tricky vocalese on a a fun packed 'Doodlin' ' that rushes along at a break neck tempo.
Not afraid of paring things down, she performs the opening number with just rhythm section, and Bush tops the already high benchmark with the beautiful 'You're Nearer' performed as a duet with just piano accompaniment. Such is the beauty in this one track that I for one look forward to the prospect of a whole album of duets as Bush certainly has the voice that will hold the attention in such an intimate setting.
The most exciting thing about this debut is the knowledge that Bush has plenty more to say, and whether she sticks with repertoire drawn from the Great American Songbook or looks to branch out, we can rest assured that we have not yet heard the best from this young singer, and she will only get better.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
