La Serenissima
New Cat, 2024
9/10
The 9th album from the esteemed vocalist Esbe, the 11 tracks here are inspired by Venice and are full of melodic and clever gestures.
The mysterious and warm “Amarilli, Mia Bella” starts the listen with Esbe’s gorgeous voice giving the classic love song much richness, and the title track follows with the sublime waltz unfolding with well timed percussion and textured voices.
Further along, “Victory Pageant” showcases the intimate strings amid Esbe’s stunning vocal acrobatics, while “Shadow” welcomes ambience to the creative landscape that brings to mind an ominous, bubbling sea.
Landing near the end, “Palazzo” carries an orchestral mood of beauty and emotive sensibilities that’s sung in Turkish, and “La Serenissima Remembered” exits with medieval harmonies that come with a very ethereal backdrop.
The production here is top notch and the delivery flawless, as Esbe’s voice and production talents are accented by light electronica and gorgeous bassoon and piano, too.
Travels well with: Roopa Panesar- ATMA; Koum Tara- Baraaim El-Louz