YolanDa Brown - April Showers May Flowers Live Sessions

Styles: Saxophone Jazz 
Year: 2013
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:07
Size: 106,9 MB
Art: Front

(6:27)  1. Dear John
(3:42)  2. TokYo Sunset
(3:09)  3. Fine Line
(2:14)  4. Yesterday
(5:32)  5. Today, Tomorrow
(4:32)  6. HeartBeat
(6:16)  7. Without You
(4:37)  8. Nothing To Say
(5:48)  9. BitterSweet
(3:45) 10. Good Morning

Having recently admired the Saxophone work on Johnny Borrell’s debut solo album, we thought it would only be fair to take this a step further and have a listen to one of the finest Saxophone players the UK has to offer. With two Mobo awards under her belt, Monday saw the release of YolanDa Brown’s ‘April Showers, May Flowers: Live Sessions,’ a live rework of her critically acclaimed debut. The album opens with ‘Dear John,’ showcasing some fine interplay between the saxophone, guitar and keys, whilst the beat is held behind and allows the band to flourish and surrender. The stops providing the respite before the Saxophone takes the lead and each instrument has its moment to freestyle amongst the blissfully lazy feel of the tune. Arguably, the stand out track comes in the form of next offering ‘Tokyo Sunset,’ a time shifting Reggae number that not only shows Brown’s ability to throw varying styles into the mix, but also allows her to make a statement of intent, jumping between poetic licks and sheer technical class as Brown shreds the saxophone in a manner that would make the guitarist from Tool question if there was any point in continuing.Furthermore, ‘Today Tomorrow’ sees Brown and her band tackle electronic music for the first time, with a collection of interspersed pads and pitch shifting organs providing the foundations for the Saxophone to execute some swelling trills amongst the accented chords and an impeccably defined rhythm section. Naturally, the most technically demanding number is saved until last, ‘Good Morning’ delivering Brown with the chance to showcase her ability to surge, fall and halt with effortless class, amongst a flurry of syncopated rhythms and varying time signatures. Throughout these recordings, you constantly have to remind yourself that everything was recorded live. Essentially this album is flawless and another reminder that pop musicians still have a long way to go if they are to reach the professional heights and supreme craft of musicians like YolanDa Brown. Whilst her technical gift is plain for all to see, the intrigue lies within her ability to blend a variety of different styles within the Jazz construct. All in all, creating an album that will not only impress Jazz enthusiasts, but hopefully bring a new generation of listeners to the fore. https://slatethedisco.com/2013/08/review-yolanda-brown-april-showers-may-flowers-live-sessions/

April Showers May Flowers Live Sessions

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