SHIRI ZORN & GEORGE MUSCATELLO

LOOKING FOR THE LIGHT

Independent Label

Shiri Zorn, voice; George Muscatello, guitar; Mauricio Zottarelli, percussion.

I am completely enamored by the sound of this trio. From the moment I heard the first four bars of this familiar Jobim song “Garota de Ipanema,” I was fascinated by their enchanting, minimalist production.  George Muscatello is brilliant on rhythm guitar, that sometimes dips into the lower register creating a rich bass sound. When Shiri Zorn’s emotionally charged vocals enter, I am totally captivated. Also, Brazilian percussionist, Mauricio Zottarelli is the perfect complement to this project.

The second track is as spectacular as the first.  They offer us a totally unique arrangement of “It’s Alright With me” with an innovative intercultural sound.  They transform the American Songbook in awesome ways. I feel like I’m in Brazil one moment and at a Broadway show the next.  I receive so many female vocalist albums, several who purport to be jazz singers and who are not.  Shiri Zorn is the real deal! You want to know why I say that?  It’s because she exemplifies the meaning of jazz by rearranging tunes we know and love and making them fresh, different, better!  She reinvents songs like “So Nice (Summer Samba)” and makes it her own, while still entertaining us with her unique phrasing and vocal note choices. Zorn not only has a wonderful voice, she’s not afraid to jump off the ledge without a parachute.  Neither one of her gifted musicians is afraid either.

Muscatello and Zorn composed “Nothing at All” together, and I eagerly anticipated their original music. Muscatello is a master on guitar and Zorn occasionally shows off her scat singing creativity. Zottarelli is sensitive and rhythmic on his percussion instruments.

The Zorn/Muscatello music is quite unique and enriches this project with their creative approach to composing.  On their tune “Prayer” the percussionist adds greatly to the mood and excitement of this beautiful, melodic piece.  Another original follows called, “Shadow Soul” where Muscatello’s guitar sounds a wee bit like an electric piano, then like a vibraphone. He is so fluid and creative on guitar, blending perfectly with Shiri Zorn’s clear, effortless tones.  I enjoyed their debut album, but I like this one even more. There is a merging of cultures in the trio’s music. They blend South American and African rhythms with European, Middle Eastern and Latin influences, to interpret familiar jazz tunes like “Dancing in the Dark.”  On the fade of this familiar song from the Great American Songbook, Shiri Zorn repeatedly sings to us during the fade of this song, adlibbing the album title, “Looking for the Light” over and over. Nice touch!

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil