With Patchwork, the new CD by Dheepa Chari, the outstanding
New York City-based vocalist has taken a giant step into the forefront of
contemporary jazz singers. The
influences of her personal inspirations are all fully displayed in her singing
– the dulcet sultriness of Sarah Vaughan, the impeccable phrasing and
effortless control of Ella Fitzgerald, and the emotional depth and sinuous
lyricism of Billie Holiday. But the musical depth and creativity on this
remarkable album also call to mind another icon of jazz vocalizing – the
unparalleled Betty Carter. Like Betty, Dheepa is a band leader, not simply a
vocalist with ensemble support. The musicians create a vivid synergy, weaving a
rich tapestry of inspired creative interplay that takes the listener on a
fascinating journey with each song. These are not
theme-in/development/theme-out excursions, but rather full throttle adventures
that conclude in a place far different from the departure point.
Each of the ten pieces on the album is developed entirely on
its own terms, embracing various elements of the jazz vocal tradition without
ever falling into categorization or succumbing to the expected. Much of this can be credited to the
extraordinary arrangements of Dheepa’s brilliant collaborator and pianist/keyboardist
Lars Potteiger, who also co-composed three of the songs with Dheepa. Each
arrangement is lovingly crafted to not only provide the perfect setting for the
jewel that is Dheepa’s beautiful voice, but also to allow her to paint each
song’s story on its own emotional canvas. The exemplary skills of producer
Aaron Nevezie capture every nuance of this marvelous recording.
To deliver music of this substance, the musicianship must be
at the highest level, and the musicians on Patchwork are flawless in execution
and consummate in artistry. Joining Lars in the rhythm section are Dan Asher on
both electric and upright bass, and Vin Scialla on drums and percussion.
Together they provide the pulsing fire, sensitive rapport and dynamic flow as
demanded by the expressive context of each piece. Violinist Daniil Davydoff and
Mike DiRubbo on alto and soprano saxophones are added on a number of pieces.
Daniil provides a shimmering, hypnotic radiance sometimes in obbligato and
others in harmony, woven delightfully into the arrangements; while Mike’s
vigorous, inventive solos and background textures vitally enhance each piece on
which he’s featured. Most of the solo space goes to Lars – always imaginative,
adventurous and fully integrated into the music without a wasted note or a
flash of virtuosity for its own sake.
Of course, the core of the music is Dheepa’s luminous
artistry and superb voice – warm, emotionally expressive, full-bodied
throughout her extensive range, deeply soulful and richly compelling. The
essence of all vocal artistry is to tell a story beyond the lyrics, not just
through one’s personal sound and style, but by conveying the essence of the
soul within the structure of the musical environment. Dheepa has mastered that
thoroughly.
The repertoire is delightful – an excellent balance of
originals, Great American Songbook classics and rock pieces. The Chari/Potteiger originals include the
album’s opener Semblance of Truth, a dramatic, moving, anthem-like piece built
on emphatic piano chords and colored by violin; the adventurous Questions with
a powerfully driving piano solo and buoyant vocal; and the title track
Patchwork atmospherically blossoming from its rubato opening, incubated by
violin and featuring alto and soprano solos in a context that has an early
electric Miles feel.
The standards are fully re-imagined and completely
refreshing in their approaches. Cole Porter’s Love for Sale is vibrantly
up-tempo, spurred by horns and with Dheepaalternating long languorous tones and
rapid fire phrases. Kern& Mercer’s beautiful I’m Old Fashioned is an
unexpectedly bouncy jaunt that closes in a delicious soprano sax/vocal pas de
deux. Woody Herman’s 1949 hit Early Autumn features Dheepa dancing briskly over
the effervescently percussive rhythm section; and Fats Waller’s iconic Ain’t
Misbehavin’ is a highly original and modernized version, embellished by violin
and with Dheepa’s rhythmic thrust fluctuating boldly.
Dheepa also transforms a trio of popular rock songs and
makes them her own. Again and Again – by British rockers Keane – uses very
subtle and tasteful vocal overdubs to enhance the lovely melodic delivery over
dramatically rhythmic chords. The French rock band Phoenix’s Lasso features
Dheepa coiling sinuously around the rhythm section with exceptional percussive
flavorings and mesmerizing synthesizer textures. A highly atmospheric, rubato,
deeply moving take on Counting Crows’ Black and Blue closes out this
captivating album on a most poignant note.
Following up on her excellent previous releases, 4th Street
(EP) and Some New Fashion, Patchwork is a triumph.
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