Alma Micic - The Hours

NASLOV               Alma Micic - The Hours

ETIKETA               2008,CTA Records

MUZICARI

Alma Micic: vocals; Brandon McCune: piano, Fender Rhodes `(7); Sean Conley: bass; Gregory Hutchinson: drums; Riley Bandy: alto sax (1, 4); Rale Micic: acoustic guitar

NUMERE

1.Threads 6:38
2.Long Way Home 4:53
3.Hours 4:41
4.Holy Holy Holy 4:24
5.April in Paris 3:40
6.Through the Night 3:49
7.Star 4:08
8.Oj Djevojko Milijana 5:05
9.Lullaby 4:53
10.Sweet Sweet Spirit 5:51

INFO

 
1)Alma Micic was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia. At the age of 16 she started performing with a local quartet at a time when jazz was making a big comeback in Belgrade. Soon she became a frequent guest vocalist with the Radio Belgrade Big Band and began touring and appearing at many local jazz festivals as well as television and radio broadcasts. In 1995, she received a scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Alma graduated in 1999 with a BM in Jazz Performance.
Alma has been a resident of New York City since 2000. She has appeared at prominent venues such as the Jazz Standard, Scullers, as well as various international festivals and concert halls. Her first album “Introducing Alma”, hailed as “a striking debut” by Jazz Review, received radio airplay throughout the US, including Voice of America, XM Satellite Radio and international radio stations in South America, Japan and Europe. Alma Micic was also featured in a one hour NPR/WGBH Radio special “The Jazz Songbook”.
Alma’s singing has been described as “confident, soulful, vulnerable, rhythmically savvy, with the most sensual vibrato you're likely to hear” (All About Jazz). Featured articles include Swing Journal (Japan), Concerto Magazine (Austria), Jazzman and Citizen Jazz (France). She has received numerous awards such as the Cleo Laine Award for Outstanding Musicianship and BRIO Award from the NY Arts Council. Alma's highly anticipated new album “The Hours” beautifully displays her songwriting and arranging talents in addition to her exquisite singing.

2)There are no doubts about it. Alma Micic (Mee-cheech) is a first rate jazz singer. On her debut album, Introducing Alma (CTA, 2004), she opened some doors with her seductive style working the Great American Songbook. Giving no hint of what was to follow, the release of The Hours raises the bar, leaving no hesitation about where this vocalist is headed.
The Hours is far from the type of breakthrough bestseller that one might intimate. It is thematically the very opposite of what Micic's debut album was. Here, all but one of the tracks is in English with a single Montenegrin traditional tune sung as on the earlier session. However, of the remaining compositions, all but two have been written or co-written by Micic. These songs are, for the most part, spiritual in nature, and whether this faith-based music works in a jazz context or detracts from it is uncertain. While these words could easily have been sung by Amy Grant or Kathy Troccoli, here the presentation is completely different.
It is an almost eerie experience to connect the message of the lyrics with the jazz delivery. If Betty Carter or Chris Connor were delivering a message of faith, would the final result be any less? Micic's shading and familiarity with the music creates a sense of ease and reassurance.
When, midway through the album, Micic roars through a version of "April in Paris"—the only generally familiar song—it is a refreshing, and up-tempo visit to another planet, where the singer nails the melody and settles into a comfortable and assured scat. It is almost as if she were winking to the listener, saying "Yeah, I can do that easy!"
Certainly, as in the case of her first album, the musical cast contributes mightily to the finished product. Her pianist, Brandon McCune, proves again to be a first-rate accompanist and soloist with lots of the same Red Garland block chording. Bassist Sean Conley and drummer Gregory Hutchinson make this one cooking rhythm section. Altoist Riley Bandy adds some punch to his two appearances, while Macic's husband Rale plays acoustic guitar on the singer's performance of the Montenegrin folk song, "Oj Djevojko Milijana."
Describing an album this eclectic can be difficult, but one listen to The Hours and Macic's distinctive approach becomes crystal clear.
Track Listing: Threads; Long Way Home; Hours; Holy Holy Holy; April In Paris; Through the Night; Star; Oj Djevojko Milijana; Lullaby; Sweet Sweet Spirit.
Personnel: Alma Micic: vocals; Brandon McCune: piano, Fender Rhodes `(7); Sean Conley: bass; Gregory Hutchinson: drums; Riley Bandy: alto sax (1, 4); Rale Micic: acoustic guitar

Alma Micic - Introducing Alma

NASLOV               Alma Micic - Introducing Alma

ETIKETA              CTA Records

MUZICARI

Alma Micic: vocals; Brandon McCune: piano; Sean Conly: bass; Israel Bannerman: drums

NUMERE

1.Day Dream 5:06
2.Corcovado 3:10
3.Close Your Eyes 2:57
4.Something To Live For 6:20
5.Yesterdays 4:03
6.That April Day 6:51   
7.Sejdefu Majka Budjase 6:59
9.I Remember You 3:09
10.But Beautiful 5:26

INFO

1) It's always a challenge to introduce a new artist, no matter how deserving or talented, without tripping over the usual litany of music journalist cliches. But jazz vocalist Alma Micic, though still young, really is the real deal in the making; self-assured both rhythmically and harmonically, she swings, has a great sense of space and time, and chooses happening material while avoiding the usual overworn vocalist cliche tunes. She also writes and even scats convincingly.
Micic is clear, confident, soulful, vulnerable, rhythmically savvy, with the most sensual vibrato you're likely to hear, combined with a unique approach and sense of intonation, especially on ballads—eg. "Something to Live For"—which all makes for a very original presentation, most especially on ballads. There she'll pull you into a world of her own making, one you'll gladly revisit with the anxious richness of reconnecting with a long lost love, and finding what you hadn't the first time.
Standouts include "I Remember You," a haunting piano/vocal arrangement of "Day Dream," "Close Your Eyes," a blusey reading of "Yesterdays," and the gorgeous "But Beautiful." "Quiet Nights/Corcovado" is tight and unique at its chosen tempo, as its taken as a samba rather than the usual bossa. It's as up as I've ever heard it, but works as a rhythm section thing, all except for making the lead appear rushed (though she's not), in contrast to the complete relaxation of the rest of the record.
Among the surprises are an inspired take on Shorter's "Infant Eyes" and her own original, "That April Day." A beautiful piece that's perfect for her.
By sixteen Micic was lead vocalist with the Belgrade Radio Big Band in her native Serbia. By twenty she'd performed at jazz fests all over Europe, eventually graduating from Berklee College of Music with honors. She now resides in New York, where she formed her current gigging/recording band, consisting of pianist Brandon McCune (who at times evokes comparisions with Red Garland, Herbie Hancock, even Bill Evans, with certain harmonic touches and runs), bassist Sean Conly, and drummer Israel Bannerman.
Though the group supports Micic ("Mee-cheech") with warmth, empathy, and maturity, they at times interact with her more as if she were more another instrument. This makes for a sense of greater possibilities, a sense of respect for the leader, and more interesting rapport all around. Sort of a balance between respectful sensitivity and assertion. If this is what a first effort sounds like, this would clearly be a band to see live—as soon as possible.
Track Listing: Day Dream; Corcovado; Close Your Eyes; Something to Live For; Yesterdays; That April Day; Sejdefu Majka Budjase; Infant Eyes; I Remember You; But Beautiful.
Personnel: Alma Micic: vocals; Brandon McCune: piano; Sean Conly: bass; Israel Bannerman: drums.

2)This CD showcases Alma Micic’s superb vocal abilities, as she blends with and soars over piano, bass, and drums. With songs in English, Montenegrin Traditional, and Scat, Ms. Micic’s recording reveals her versatility, vivaciousness, and vamp. This is a midnight and candlelight collection of ballads and even one samba.

Notable tracks:

#2 –Corcovado – Composed by A. C. Jobim. This track begins and ends with a repetitive piano refrain, with percussive drums and surreal samba. Sung in English, Quiet Nights and Quiet Days, Micic does not diffuse its exotic appeal. This is a most interesting twist to a renowned standard.

#4 –Something to Live For – Composed by B. Strayhorn and D. Ellington. With the barest of Bannerman’s brushes and Conly’s bass, Micic and McCune share the track with elegance and ephemeral quietude. Micic’s vocals tumble like raindrops in flight.

#7 –Sejdefu Majka Budjase – Montenegrin Traditional. This song, emanating from Montenegro, near Ms. Micic’s native Serbia, is sung with clarity and class. I would like to hear more songs in the repertoire from Ms. Micic’s homeland, as her language and passion in the genre add to the quality of its fascination.

#9 –I Remember You – Composed by J. Mercer and V. Schertzinger. This track showcases piano and drums, but adds Ms. Micic’s own style of accented scat in buoyant swing. The lyrics are the lesser focus, as the fused jazzy rhythms pulsate.