Search - Lyambiko :: Out of This Mood

A Wonderful New Treasure!!!

A. Davis | Greenville, SC | 10/29/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was listening to the Jazz channel on my digital cable box when "Afro Blue" started to play. At first I was spellbound by the beautiful voice I heard, but then the music sounded unlike any group I had heard before. When the name Lyambiko appeared at the end of the track, I immediately went online to search for this wonderful new treasure. Wow!! What an excellent addition to my music collection. This lady can flat out sing. Her trio is also first-rate and swinging. I had given up on new artist singing standards because most did not add anything new to the original recording, but this music is a breath of fresh air. Possessed with an silky-beautiful voice with timely & percise intonation, Lyambiko manages to add something new to these 15 songs without losing the original compositional intent. In other words, I like her style. Her band is flexible - bouncing from blues to latin to swing and soulful jazz without missing a beat. They are a tight unit with a bright future and their song selection is as diverse as their vocalist. This disc has plenty of variety to enjoy. Covering tunes from Coltrane, Cannonball, Ellington, Jobim and Gershwin, the music is a first class trip back to yersterday. My favorite tracks include "Afro Blue", "Some Other Time", "Work Song", "Skylark" and "Parakeet Prowl". There are no weak moments here - Just plenty of great music to sink your teeth into. We need more artist hitting on all cylinders like this. Great job, Lyambiko. I can't wait to hear your next CD. "Out of This Mood" is going to make a great Christmas present for my favorite music friends. Thanks to the other reviewers of this disc for sharing your valuable opinions about this music. A new treasure, indeed!!!"

Outstanding Vocal Jazz With A Classic Sound

Mark Levitan | Boston USA | 09/12/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One listen to "Out Of This Mood" and you'll hear why Lyambiko, the group, is getting so much attention in their home base of Berlin and throughout Germany (and increasingly in the U.S.). Backed by a solid and experienced piano-bass-drum combo, Lyambiko, the singer (after whom the group is named), delivers strong, highly musical vocals throughout the disc, demonstrating excellent command over a wide stylistic range. While some of the tunes are no doubt evocative of classic singers that have come before, she's clearly singing from deep in her own heart. The album's familiar chestnuts and almost-forgotten gems hang together like a quick reference guide to vocal jazz. But this is no perfunctory encyclopedic exercise. Lyambiko's voice is simply beautiful, and there's deep emotion and much delicacy in the arrangements and ensemble playing whenever the mood demands. For instance, if you don't find yourself moved by their rendition of "Skylark," you may want to check your pulse to see if you're still alive. The backing trio displays musical insight wrought from many years of playing all manner of jazz styles. Their fairly retro sound fits like a glove and yet they still approach it inventively. Capable of aching subtlety on the ballads and tight swing grooves when the tempo is up, they provide a solid foundation that provides the singer with tremendous expressive freedom. "Parakeet Prowl," the one instrumental on the disc, is a snappy and playful romp (composed by pianist Marque Lowenthal) that reveals much about the outstanding jazz skills of the ensemble.This is a fine disc of classic jazz music made fresh, full of well-played, well-sung songs, many that you will recognize, all of which you can relate to as comfortably as you do your favorite old pair of blue jeans. Both the serious and casual listener will find this a rewarding venture. And, not to be overlooked, this is just their debut CD, and although the singer is only 27 years old, she sounds like she has a world of experience in her soul. Expect good things from these artists. Perfect for cocktails and romance."

A great one

Mark Levitan | 08/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a dynamite jazz CD that really swings - this group is extremely tight, and their musical selections are uniformly excellent. Their phenomenal singer, Lyambiko, is both young and very self-assured; her strong, fluid vocals propel the music through wonderful twists and turns, and she is just as comfortable with modern-style jazz and Latin influences as with older ballads. The pianist/arranger is also a strong asset; his version of Coltrane's Afro-Blue and his composition "Parakeet Prowl" are among the best cuts on the CD (though there really are NO mediocre cuts!) This CD is becoming quite popular among jazz-lovers in Germany and Europe in general, and hopefully people in the States will catch on to this great band as well."