Erin Boheme Website:
Genre(s): Smooth, Easy Swing Pop Jazz, Contemporary Pop
Instrument(s): Vocals
Trademark(s): Nearly three octave range spanning alto into soprano, Jazz / Pop Fusion Style, Smooth delivery
Album(s):
Collaborations:
   

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Erin Boheme: What Love Is
2006, Concord Music Group, CCD-2286-2
CyberHome: http://www.ErinBoheme.com

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

Copyright 2001 - 2006 Christopher Ruel.

All Rights Reserved.

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