CD reviews

This is the latest CD featuring Bireli Lagrene’s Gypsy Project but they are the backing group for the France-based American singer Sara Lazarus. Of course there is a tradition of singers recording with hot club bands, Django & Stephane used many guest singers on their recordings, and I have really enjoyed listening to this recording. Sara Lazarus has a great voice with none of the distracting mannerisms that many jazz singers accumulate - she sings the songs in a straight ahead style with a lot of swing and can articulate the words at very high speed. The drive of the Gypsy Project really kicks in on the high tempo songs and gives Bireli a chance to rip into the solos. There are a few ballads with a string orchestra and Bireli on electric guitar and initially I wasn’t so keen on those but they are great songs, e.g. Embraceable You, very well sung and after a few listens I now really like them. Sara Lazarus and Bireli have a full gigging schedule for 2007 (unfortunately none in the UK) so this looks like a long term musical partnership.