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Lisa Sokolov - Presence
2003 Laughing Horse Records
www.lisasokolov.com
With
Lisa Sokolov on Vocals and Keyboards
John DiMartino on Piano
Cameron Brown on Bass
Gerry Hemingway on Drums
Publicity: jazzpromo@earthlink.net
Dr. Roberta E. Zlokower
July 31, 2005
This is an eclectic CD with interpretations of standards, traditional music, and new compositions. Lisa Sokolov combines her vocals with sassy scat and throaty whispering, and she offers her band generous solos.
Notable tracks:
#1 – Presence – Composed by Sokolov. This title song, with African chant effects, is energetic scat, a play on the words “presents” and “presence”. Steady exotic rhythms are heard from the keyboard, bass, and drums to infuse this CD introduction with a distinct level of interest.
#7 – Sons of – Composed by Brel, Shuman, Blau, Jouannest. This Jacques Brel ballad includes sensitive, soft vocals over a moody piano and steel percussion. Soon the piano takes the theme without rushing the rhythm, and Ms. Sokolov swirls the solos like a carousel.
#8 – Water Lilies – Composed by Sokolov. This jazz/new age infusion, with scat that resembles instrumentals and Chinese poems, is abstract and ethereal. Intonations are combined with tinkling keyboard and moody percussion, like drizzling rain.
#11 – For All We Know – Composed by Lewis & Coots. This dissonant, atmospheric piece, with a two-minute piano solo, brings Ms. Sokolov in like feathers falling. Her vocal range is well suited to this duet with John DiMartino’s piano accompaniment.
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