Alquimia
Voice Inside, 2022
8/10
The esteemed vocalist, pianist, and percussionist Katherine Farnham fleshes out a Latin jazz listen here, where originals and standards in Spanish and Portuguese take help from the Grammy Winner Nestor Torres, 4-time Grammy Nominee Denny Jiosa and the legendary artist Guinga.
“Tango” gets the listen off to a powerful start with Farnham’s expressive pipes alongside the firm drums and Roy Vogt’s playful bass, and “Onde Esta Meu Amor” follows with Farnham’s graceful keys and poetic singing complementing the melodic, cultured landscape.
In the middle, the duet “A Vox do Mundo” pairs Farnham’s vocals and piano with Guinga’s soothing pipes and Brazilian style acoustic guitar across the intimate landscape, while “Besame Mucho” recruits Denny Jiosa’s fluid guitar work for the stirring, eloquent demeanor.
Close to the end, the extended version of “Discricao” emits rich textures of precise musicianship that’s quite pretty, and the acoustic version of “A Vox do Mundo” exits the listen with Guinga’s meticulous guitar illuminating the mature piano and lovely voices.
Farnham is classically trained and possesses a 4 octave voice, and she’ll make anyone a fan who is willing to listen to these passionate, adventurous and timeless interpretations.
Travels well with: Jackie Messina- Necessary Arrangements; Alexis Parsons- Alexis