MONIKA HERZIG’S SHEROES

ALL IN GOOD TIME

Zoho Records

Monika Herzig, piano/keyboards/composer/arranger; Rosa Avila, drums; Gina Schwarz, bass; Leni Stern, guitar; Camille Thurman, tenor saxophone/vocals; Jamie Baum, flutes; Reut Regev, trombone.

It has long been a mission of Monika Herzig to elevate female composers, musicians and bandleaders.  This is her fourth release under the banner of ‘Sheroes.’  It represents an album featuring all women band members that she spearheads as their pianist, composer, and arranger.

They open with Herzig’s composition and the title tune, “All In Good Time.” She composed this shortly after the untimely death of Chick Corea in February of 2021, in celebration of a musician who greatly inspired her.

“I have always admired Chick’s playing and identified deeply with his music,” Monika Herzig writes in her press package.  She also penned a book in 2017 titled “Experiencing Chick Corea: A Listener’s Companion.”

The trombone of Ruet Regev introduces us to the next Herzig tune titled “Parade of Sadness.” It’s composed in the key of D, that is said to be one of the saddest keys in the Circle of Fifths, and this Herzig’s arrangement is a nod to the jazz of New Orleans. Bass player, Gina Schwarz, composed the third track called “Behind” and she takes a bass solo midway through the arrangement that’s a nice break from the horns that seem blandly repetitious instead of melodic or inspired. They also seem off key at times, wandering from the changes that Herzig is playing underneath as part of the rhythm section. Finally, a song called “Right Now” settles into a comfortable groove and spotlight’s Herzig’s piano prowess. Jamie Baum flies free on her flute and flirts with the Schwarz bassline.

They take a turn towards commercialism and create a new arrangement on the Beyonce tune, “(Girls) Run the World,” with the emphasis on Rosa Avila’s drums. The arrangement is nearly unrecognizable from the R&B hit record. I enjoyed the Herzig composition and arrangement on “PC” featuring the smooth flute solos of Jamie Baum and a catchy bass line from Schwarz. Overall, Herzig is a good composer, but perhaps needs a master arranger to assist in bringing out the best in her compositions and in her musicians. This CD will be released to the public on July 22nd.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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