Love Is The Key
Jazilian, 2021
8/10
A singer and pianist who also excels at arranging and producing, Sue Maskaleris brings her passion for Brazilian sounds here, where Wesley Amorim handles guitars, Leo Traversa holds down bass and Samuel Martinelli sits behind the drum kit, though there’s many guests on hand, too.
“Procrastination” starts the listen with playful keys and a very warm atmosphere as Maskaleris delivers a versatile and very charming vocal performance in the samba, and “Bliss” follows with a pretty landscape of cultured and emotive song craft amid the bossa ballad.
Closer to the middle, “Love Is The Key” recruits fluid Afro-Cuban congas as Sara Caswell’s incredible violin acrobatics highlight the memorable delivery, while “Renewal” displays strong piano work from Maskaleris as soulful sax from Rodrigo Botter Maio adds much to the timeless jazz climate. “Valentine’s Day For One”, one of the album’s best tracks, brings a festive spirit with saxophones, a flugelhorn and some really clever wordplay.
As we approach the end, “Fly Away” finds a dreamy place to reside where backing vocals from Bruce Atkinson add some R&B to the elegance, and “Love Is The Key (Radio Edit)” trims the title track in duration while still maintaining the dynamic jazz energy.
A very lush, harmonic and melodic display of exceptional skill, Maskaleris and company pull off a career highlight here, where each track unfolds with an unpredictable and easily enjoyable performance you can’t help but admire.
Travels well with: Frank Kohl- Solitude; Wayne Alpern- Jukebox