Showing posts with label Sophia Shorai. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sophia Shorai. Show all posts

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Sophia Shorai With Tommy Barbarella - Long As You're Living

Styles: Vocal And Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 50:54
Size: 117,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:29)  1. Long As You're Living
(5:25)  2. Black Coffee
(3:44)  3. Brother, Can You Spare A Dime
(4:53)  4. You Don't Know What Love Is
(3:19)  5. Old Devil Moon
(4:17)  6. Everybody Knows
(3:50)  7. In The Wee Small Hours
(4:53)  8. Hellhound On My Trail
(3:40)  9. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
(4:14) 10. Big Brother
(4:21) 11. Peace
(4:45) 12. Waters Of March

What is most exciting about the new crop of singers coming onto the scene is the abundant joy present in much of their work. They're happy to be singing; they're happy to do what their idols and mentors do; they're happy to be sharing their gift. One listen to singer Sophia Shorai's Long as You're Living and the prominence of her enthusiasm is hard to ignore. Featuring twelve jazz and contemporary music covers, and accompanied by pianist Tommy Barbarella, Shorai's project represents the best of what music is all about: good music made by artists who clearly believe in their product.

Long as You're Living is a great display of "do what you love and everything will fall into place." Shorai's voice is sweet and light, while Barbarella best known for his work with Prince and the New Power Generation brings an energy that makes Shorai soar. Shorai is clearly eager to put her own spin on the lyrics, a goal that Barbarella helps the singer accomplish, as long as he's allowed to shine in the process; the two sounding good together, which benefits the music. With themes of love, politics, and social responsibility spread throughout the recording, the standout tracks include the title track, along with "Black Coffee," "You Don't Know What Love Is," "Everybody Knows," "In the Wee Small Hours," and "Big Brother." 

A testament to the good music coming out of Minneapolis, it won't be long before Shorai extends beyond her local setting and becomes a regular fixture all over the air waves. 
~ Bridget A.Arnwine  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/long-as-youre-living-self-produced-review-by-bridget-a-arnwine.php

Personnel: Sophia Shorai: vocals; Tommy Barbarella: piano.

Saturday, April 18, 2015

Sophia Shorai - Wave (Re-Release)

Styles: Brazilian Jazz, Bossa Nova
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:19
Size: 86,2 MB
Art: Front

(3:06)  1. I Remember You
(3:49)  2. No More Blues
(2:06)  3. O Pato
(3:26)  4. Dindi
(4:15)  5. Desafinado
(2:47)  6. Little Boat
(3:13)  7. Wave
(3:23)  8. Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars
(2:57)  9. Summer Samba
(3:57) 10. Black Orpheus
(4:14) 11. Meditation

A singer with equal parts heart, charm and individuality, Shorai has been a mainstay on the Minneapolis jazz scene for the past 10+ years.  With five self-released albums under her belt, she mixes old classics, modern revivals and her own pop gems with ease and soul.  Shorai has collaborated with many of the Midwest’s finest and most celebrated musicians and has garnered international vocal recognition through commercials, television shows and films.

“Sophia has everything a singer could want: soul, versatility and comfort in a number of musical settings and styles, a marvelous set of ears, unique style, and a visceral love of music and performance. Whether she’s belting or crooning, she breaks hearts.”~ Adam Levy, guitarist, singer/songwriter for The Honeydogs

“There’s a charming girlish innocence and coquettish soulfulness to this young singer’s rendering of jazz standards.”~ Jon Bream, Star Tribune

“One simply enjoys the expressive, emotional, yielding, welcoming, accepting, and enduring quality which Sophia delivers vocally to nudge our musical sensibilities in a strong and viable manner.” ~ George W. Carroll, NiteLifeExchange.com

“Sophia Shorai has one of the sweetest voices…Not many others could hit her perfectly girlish, almost childish tone…” ~ Annie D’Souza, MetroMix Mpls

“There’s a halo around her voice. She’s one of the most naturally gifted singers I’ve ever heard.” ~ Daniel Eikmeier, Artist & Media Relations, Dakota Jazz Club  http://sophiashoraimusic.com/