MUSIC REVIEW BY Tom Haugen, Take Effect Reviews
The Seattle vocalist and songwriter Ben Black brings us 11 original songs here that are inspired by mysticism and meditation, and he's got an all star of musicians including Bill Anschell, Dave Peterson, Jeff Johnston, Mark Ivester, David Lange and Brenda Kay Neth along with him.
"Wonderland" opens the listen with Black's soulful pipes illuminating the frisky keys from Anschell and Peterson's spirited guitar work, and "Wind" follows with a soft and poetic display of emotive and cautious instrumentation that benefits much from Johnson's hypnotic bass.
The middle portion brings us the elegant and warm title track, where Ivester's fluid drumming radiates deft skill amid Black's incredible range, while "Sorrow" is a very intimate and pretty album highlight that is profoundly powerful while embracing accordion from Lange.
"South" lands close to the end, and emits a timeless jazz flavor where the players interact with much sensitivity, and "Night" finishes the listen with some mystery and culture entering the lush and creative exit.
A very heartfelt effort, Black sings with a tremendous amount of care, and he brings 30+ years of experience in the jazz scene to these very distinct songs that are fueled by a voice that's so divine, you'll swear you've never heard anything like it before.
"Wonderland" opens the listen with Black's soulful pipes illuminating the frisky keys from Anschell and Peterson's spirited guitar work, and "Wind" follows with a soft and poetic display of emotive and cautious instrumentation that benefits much from Johnson's hypnotic bass.
The middle portion brings us the elegant and warm title track, where Ivester's fluid drumming radiates deft skill amid Black's incredible range, while "Sorrow" is a very intimate and pretty album highlight that is profoundly powerful while embracing accordion from Lange.
"South" lands close to the end, and emits a timeless jazz flavor where the players interact with much sensitivity, and "Night" finishes the listen with some mystery and culture entering the lush and creative exit.
A very heartfelt effort, Black sings with a tremendous amount of care, and he brings 30+ years of experience in the jazz scene to these very distinct songs that are fueled by a voice that's so divine, you'll swear you've never heard anything like it before.
Soundclips
Other Reviews of
"Mystery & Wonder":
Jazz Weekly by George W Harris
Midwest Review by Chris Spector