Absence Of You
Self-Released, 2023
8/10
A woman with many talents, the vocalist, musician and composer Tina Hartt is diverse enough to have played in rock bands and church choirs, and this first album in 20+ years has her in some excellent company for a very diverse listen of standards and originals.
“Amour castagnettes et tango” gets the listen off to an energetic start, where Jonathan D. Lewis’ playful violin and Konrad Pluta’s well timed keys complement Hartt’s very expressive voice, and “Trust Your Heart” follows with an intimate and powerful spirit that showcases much range from Hartt amid a very heartfelt delivery.
Deeper into the listen, the cultured percussion from Luis ‘El Pana’ Tovar helps add much charm to the theatric “Kiss Of Fire”, while “J’attendrai” showcases Cédric Blary’s soothing clarinet and Rob Hutchinson’s bouncy bass in the charming, infectious landscape.
Making our way towards the end, “I Can Look But I Can’t Touch” recruits Jeff ‘El Jefe’ Fafard’s skilled drums, Keith O’Rourke’s bright sax and Hartt’s very adaptable pipes to the album’s best, and “La vie en rose” exits with a powerful, soaring and eloquent display of stunning singing and rich, globally accessible song craft.
A listen that culls her influences from Europe, Latin America and her current Canadian home, Hartt puts her training as a classical singer to great use here, and it sure does make for a timeless, worldly vocal jazz effort.
Travels well with: Heather Ferguson- Lush Life; Deb Rasmussen- Unspoken