Nineteen year old Erin
Boheme's 2006 release, What Love Is,
matches the sublime vocalist on her first effort with refined,
stylish smooth jazz instrumentation for the disarming set of
sultry arrangements that comprise this enchanting album. Boheme's
style is reminiscent of legendary popular jazz greats from
mainstream easy swing, most obviously Frank Sinatra and his so
called "rat pack", as well as a number of more subtle
contemporary influences that give her a very "now"
sound that breathes fresh life into her classic vocal style and
the mainstream smooth / popular jazz material she draws from and
covers. Boheme's voice resounds with a feminine, angelic clarity
that is smoothly placid like a pristine, undisturbed mountain
lake, though she imparts a sensual undertow that complements this
silky surface with her sweetly sophisticated jazz inflections and
seductive allure that is far beyond her years, notably on her
stirring rendition of the Cole Porter standard, "Let's Do It".
The result is a bemused listener willingly drawn under the
comforting waters, happily drowning in the intoxicating charms of
her mesmerizing voice. Boheme's voice is really unlike any other
classic female jazz vocalist, residing primarily in the range of
alto spanning into soprano, capable of scaling lower hues for her
jazz snarls and deeper phrasings, though most comfortable in the
lower alto register. (Her tone, style, and range really cannot be
likened to Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Lena
Horne, Nancy Wilson, Julie London, etc. Maybe the nearest thing
to her sound is Peggy Lee.) Boheme exhibits a range near three
octaves in breadth and this distinctive range together with her
innocent yet knowingly enticing style gives her a very unique,
signature sound that easily distinguishes her from other well-known
jazz vocalists.
Behome's capable vocals
are integrated with an exceptionally produced array of rich
orchestration that provides fine support for her talents. The
instrumentation is fashioned around a core ensemble of piano,
bass, drums, and strings, though the arrangements further
integrate guitar, sax, and trumpet leads to augment the sonic
texture. This graceful ensemble principally facilitates the
creation of a smoothly mellow, posh backdrop for Behome's
melodiously lyrical voice to contrast, though several noteworthy
instrumental leads contribute pleasingly to the overall listening
experience.
Erin Boheme's singing
career is off to a good start with her suave vocal efforts on What
Love Is. Demonstrating an impressive
maturity of both presence and musical ability, this young
vocalist seems destined for greatness. Her daring to venture into
smooth pop jazz in an era dominated with mindless, sex-oriented
pop is commendable, though her graceful talents are well-suited
to her poignant direction that appears to be a likely catalyst
for a long overdue revival of the fading art. Fans of smooth pop
jazz and contemporary pop with an elegant twist will enjoy this
sprightly youthful yet sophisticatedly refined musical effort
from the young Ms. Boheme and her fine accompaniment.
All things considered,
Boheme has recorded an impressive effort on her polished debut
release, What Love Is.
I have consulted with my feline companion, the resident, expert
authority on the subject, and we both agree... Erin Boheme is
without a doubt the cat's meow.
Four paws up! (Apparently, the little bugger is flat on his back
after listening to the CD...)
| Players: |
|
|
| Erin
Boheme |
|
Vocals |
| Taylor Eigsti |
|
Piano |
| David Foster |
|
Piano |
| Mike Melvoin |
|
Piano |
| Billy Childs |
|
Piano |
| Christian Scott |
|
Trumpet |
| Tom Scott |
|
Saxophone |
| George Doering |
|
Guitar |
| Laryy Koonse |
|
Guitar |
| Kevin Axt |
|
Bass |
| Chuck Berghofer |
|
Bass |
| Brian Bromberg |
|
Bass |
| Harish Raghavan |
|
Bass |
| Gregg Field |
|
Drums |
| Vinnie Colaiuta |
|
Drums |
| Aaron McClendon |
|
Drums |
| Joe LaBarbera |
|
Drums |
| Joel Taylor |
|
Brushes |
| Endre Granat |
|
Violin |
| Susan Chatman |
|
Violin |
| Charles Everett |
|
Violin |
| Ron Folsom |
|
Violin |
| Larry Greenfield |
|
Violin |
| Sharon Jackson |
|
Violin |
| Robert Matsuda |
|
Violin |
| Susan Rishik |
|
Violin |
| Tereza Stanislav |
|
Violin |
| Margaret Wooten |
|
Violin |
| Carole Mukogawa |
|
Viola |
| Karen Elaine |
|
Viola |
| Erika Duke Kirkpatrick |
|
Cello |
| Martha Lippi |
|
Cello |
| Jorge Calandrelli |
|
Conductor |
| Richard Kaufman |
|
Conductor |
| Corey Allen |
|
Conductor |
|
| Tracks: |
| 1)
Someone to Love |
| 2) One
Night with Frank |
| 3) Let's
Make the Most of a Beautiful Thing |
| 4) What
Love Is |
| 5) Teach
Me Tonight |
| 6) Make
You Happy |
| 7) Give
Me One Reason |
| 8)
Anything |
| 9) Let's
Do It |
| 10) I
Love Being Here With You |
| 11) Don't Be Something
You Ain't |
|
| ~ Christopher
Ruel ~ www.ChrisRuel.com ~ Chris@ChrisRuel.com ~ March 2006 |