Record Reviews

MARIA NECKAM ~ DEEPER SUNNYSIDE 1246 (Barcode: 016728124621) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010 This is the second album by the Austrian-born singer / songwriter Maria NeckamFind albums by this artist and her first recording following her relocation to the USA. It was recorded five years after her debut album with the group MarylandFind albums by this artist was recorded in the Netherlands, where she studied at that time. This album comprises of ten original songs, all written and composed by Neckam. It was recorded with Neckam accompanied by a trio, which includes pianist Aaron GoldbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Thomas MorganFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin StranahanFind albums by this artist. Saxophonists Lars DietrichFind albums by this artist and Samir ZarifFind albums by this artist participate on some of the tracks and vocalist Peter EldridgeFind albums by this artist participates on one track. In comparison with her spectacular debut recording, this album is much more laid back, relaxed and lyrical. It´s still the same unique Maria Neckam experience, but the joyful youthfulness is now replaced with mature reflection and melancholy mixed with joie de vivre. As the album´s title suggests, she treats her music on a deeper level this time. The songs are longer (three songs are over seven minutes long), allowing for more instrumental passages as well as expanded lyrics. Neckam uses vocalese as well, with her voice becoming an additional instrument of the entire ensemble. The performances are incredibly tight and intricate, always first class and right on the money. Of course the most important strong points of Neckam´s magic universe are her outstanding compositions and her continuous desire to discover new musical vistas. This album is an overwhelming testimony to her talents, taking the idiosyncratic efforts on the debut a whole notch of two further out, with truly incredible results. Listening to this album is like embarking upon a journey into the unknown, where anything could happen, and indeed things happen ceaselessly. Although always bearing the Neckam "seal of authenticity", the individual songs are so different from each other that the listener must ask himself "what else can she come up with?" As usual, the answer is in the music. There is no doubt that Maria Neckam is emerging as one of the most promising young cross-genre performers / composers, expanding the vocal Jazz idiom into new and uncharted territory. If she continues on this path, stars will smile at her and so will her listeners and admirers, hopefully growing into vast numbers. This album is worthy of an honorable position in any decent music collection, well beyond any narrow classification. A solid piece of musical magic!

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