CD Reviews: Robin Aleman “Tonight”
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Posted by: adminon Saturday, April 15, 2006 - 08:52 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Robin Aleman is a young artist experienced as a studio singer, voice over artist on television programs and member of two jazz bands. In August of last year, New York-based Aleman released her debut album of light and smooth jazz vocals titled Tonight.
With a smile and a voice that captures your attention, this singer does a marvelous job with her interpretation of fourteen old standards and classics by such giants as Cole Porter, Harold Arlen, Thad Jones, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Sammy Cahn, Leonard Bernstein and Rodgers & Hart. Aleman records this CD with a quartet that includes pianist David Epstein, bassist Bob Sabin, drummer Peter Retzlaff and guitarist Pete Smith.
The album opens up with the quick tempo and lively Cole Porter tune “All Through The Night” in which the singer demonstrates her range. This is followed by “Azure,” a slow piece that tends to drag a bit in what to me was the poorest track on this set. The music does pick up with Aleman belting away with strong performances on Arlen’s “Let’s Fall In Love,” “A Child is Born” and one of the best cuts, Jobim’s “It Was Night (Foi A Noite).” On this beautiful bossa nova, Aleman sings with a jazzy Latin passion in Portuguese before returning to English accompanied by the crisp guitar work of Smith.
The familiar “Teach Me Tonight” is essentially a duet with piano man Epstein. The title cut brings back memories of the musical West Side Story as her treatment of the song resonates with emotion. I particularly enjoyed “When Lights Are Low” that features a jazzy Aleman in a tune that also provides space for nice solos from the band.
A disc with excellent song selection demonstrating this singers’ talents, Tonight is a compelling debut album showcasing a wonderful performance by Aleman in a respectable recording worth a listen. For the future I would hope that she consider spreading her wings and see what she can do with a larger ensemble. My standard call to vocalist who record with small groups is to “Expand the band, if you can.” Add some reeds, vibes and a Hammond B-3 organ to get that jazzier big band flavor and see just how that beautiful voice sounds with such a background.
CD: Tonight
Label: Self Published
Year: 2006
Artist Website: www.robinaleman.com
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