Kind Words
Self-Released, 2025
8/10
The Canadian jazz singer Raquel Marina fleshes out 7 tracks, where Kae Murphy, Reuven Grajner, Julien Bradley-Combs, Chris Adriaanse and Alyssa Giammaria are in attendance for the effort that takes inspiration from the trumpet legend Kenny Wheeler.
The warm spirit of “All Of It” opens with Marina’s expressive voice alongside Murphy’s animated trumpet and Grajner’s playful keys, and “Thoughts Of You” follows with pretty singing amid the hypnotic keys and Bradley-Combs’ gentle guitar.
“My Bohemian Hour” lands in the middle and recruits Giammaria’s gorgeous pipes that help add even more intimacy to the heartfelt climate, while “Call Me By My Name” is a powerful moment of timeless, emotive vocal jazz that makes great use of Adriaanse’s strategic bass.
At the end, “The Way You Look At Me” blends the rich horn with fluid guitar, frisky keys and Marina’s diverse singing.
This is Marina’s first album of original material and it’s an authentic and captivating listening experience that’s not short on melody, harmonics and relatable themes of healing, love and serenity.
Travels well with: Kathy Sanborn- Romance Language; Liz Cole- I Want To Be Happy