Year: 2005
Record Label: Annandale
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: David Epstein (piano) Bob Sabin (bass) Peter Retzlaff (drums) Pete Smith (guitar)
Review: Robin Aleman's debut CD, Tonight, will be one of those recordings that once you hear it, you will find yourself haunted by it for sometime to come. Robin's voice has a ethereal quality to it. Her voice draws you in and surrounds you with an emotional blanket of sound that has a wide range of depth and texture to it. "All Through the Night," the opening track, is a up-tempo number that not only demonstrates the range of vocal ability Robin has, but shows off the tight trio of musicians that back her on this recording, David Epstein on piano, Bob Sabin on bass and Peter Retzlaff on drums. Along with guest guitarist Pete Smith who is featured on two of the 14 tracks.
"Azure" is a moody number that conjures up a picture of a smoky jazz club in the East Village of New York or on the left bank in Paris. Bob Sabin on bass is a perfect counter to Robin's heartfelt, lovelorn vocals and the two ease their way through the song, sounding as if they are two parts of the same heart and soul.
"Let's Fall In Love" has a twist to it in the beginning with what sounds like a military parade introduction, played by Peter Retzlaff, but then switches gears into a light and airy number that captivates and reminds you of how you felt the first time you fell in love. "A Child is Born" is a companion piece that seems to bookend "Let's Fall In Love" very nicely, and it also features the elegant playing of Bob Sabin , David Epstein and Mr Retzlaff. These three back each song with a tightly woven style of playing that supports Aleman's voice without overpowering her.
"It Was Night (Foi A Noite)" has the unmistakable mark of Antonio Carlos Jobim and features Pete Smith on guitar and switches between languages without losing any of its warm appeal and smooth Latin influenced sound. Tonight boasts a very impressive lineup of songwriters with the likes of Cole Porter, Duke Ellington, Harold Arlen, Dave Brubeck and Thelonious Monk to name just a few. In addition to the jazz greats there are also those who are not usually known for writing jazz numbers such as Sammy Cahn , Richard Rogers and Leonard Bernstein. "Tonight" from Bernstein's immortal West Side Story, is given a fresh new interpretation that leads you to think that Aleman would be as much at home on the Broadway stage as in a jazz club. She certainly has the vocal ability for either.
"In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Some Day My Prince Will Come," "When The Lights Are Low" and "Nobody's Heart" round out the recording and each is a glimpse into the heart and soul of a bright and gifted artist who gives each song her own unique stamp and feeling that lingers long after the music stops. This is a disk that deserves to be listened to again and again.
Tracks: All Through The Night, Azure, Let's Fall In Love, A Child Is Born, It Was Night, In Your Own Sweet Way, Tea For Two, Round Midnight, Teach Me Tonight, Tonight, In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning, Some Day My Prince Will Come, When Lights Are Low, Nobody's Heart
Artist's Website: http://www.robinaleman.com
Listen or Buy: http://www.cdbaby.com
Reviewed by:
Jim McElroy
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