Universal Ancestry
Culture Bridge, 2022
8/10
The first album recorded and released in the United States by the Slovak singer Hanka G, the 11 songs here mesh jazz, gospel, R&B and folk music from her home country on this very rich and distinct 4th record.
“All The Man I Need” opens the listen with Shedrick Mitchell’s warm keys and Nathaniel Townsley’s atmospheric drumming to complement G’s powerful, soulful singing, and “Be Grateful” follows with Sherrod Barnes’ fluid electric guitar and David Ginyard’s strategic bass in the intimate and poetic climate.
Packed into the middle is the dreamy “Dance Dance”, where Marvin Sewell’s pretty guitar and James Hurt’s agile Fender Rhodes help illuminate the beauty of G’s pipes, while “Throw It Away” recruits Antoine Roney’s precise tenor sax and Rodney Kendrick’s finger acrobatics on piano for the cautious yet adventurous album highlight.
Landing near the end, the scatting presence and swirling sax of “I Am Such A Pretty Girl” makes a big impression, and “Bird Has Started Singing” exits the listen with Veronika Vitazkova’s fujara helping cultivate a very radiant, meditative energy that benefits much from G’s diverse voice.
G has lived in New York City since 2016, and she brings a multi-cultured approach to her craft, where the swinging moments versus the calm, soothing tones and sexy, romantic portions make for an unpredictable and very unique listen.
Travels well with: Vicki Burns- Lotus Blossom Days; The Baylor Project- The Evening