VIVIAN BUCZEK

LE GRAND MICHEL

Prophone Records

Vivian Buczek, vocals; Mathias Heise, harmonica; Martin Sjöstedt, piano/Fender Rhodes/arrangements; Jesper Bodilsen, bass; Zoltan Csörsz, drums; Peter Asplund, trumpet/flugelhorn.

I felt a certain expectancy and excitement when I read that Vivian Buczek had recorded an entire album of Michel Legrand compositions. Unwrapping the album’s cellophane cover and sliding the disc into my player was kind of like unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning. Vivian Buczek did not disappoint me.  Her voice rang sincere and emotional as she opened with a familiar Legrand song, “The Windmills of Your Mind,” where Mathias Heise offers a dynamic harmonica solo.

This album is a celebration of one of Buczek’s favorite French composers. All these Legrand songs are arranged by Swedish piano player, Martin Sjöstedt. Many of the songs also showcase the extraordinary talents of lyricists, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who Buczek also admires. Vivian Buczek, based in Sweden, has won international appeal with her jazz-fused performances and a string of well-received recordings released over the past two decades.  This album is a follow up to her “Roots” album of 2022.

Buczek was born in Poland and raised in Sweden. Both her Polish/French parents were jazz musicians, and she grew up with music sweetly pouring through her life like honey. On the tune “His Eyes, Her Eyes” Jesper Bodilsen is featured on bass, adding a playful melodic bassline beneath her lyrical story telling.  This arrangement is quite compelling.  The band plays “Love Makes the Changes” as a down home blues. Buczek has a good feeling for blues phrasing, even though her voice seems more acclimated to a pop vocal style. Peter Asplund make his horn statement with gusto and grit. Zoltan Csörsz on drums opens “Summer Me, Winter Me” with Buczek’s soprano voice lightly dancing atop the singular rhythm. When the band joins them, they play this tune at a happy, surprisingly up-tempo pace.  Martin Sjöstedt splashes piano notes all over the tune during his joyful solo. The pensive, beautiful “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?” is a perfect vehicle to show off the clarity and lightness of Buczek’s vocal timbre. There is one original song written by Peter Asplund (the trumpeter) added to this album and it’s the title tune, “Le Grand Michel.”  Buczek’s voice becomes a horn, wordlessly singing the melody along with the trumpet.  I have heard Vivian Buczek scat sing and I think this would have been the perfect opportunity for her to explore that part of her jazz artistry. Sadly, she doesn’t. This album will release to the public on October 25^th.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter