Julia Hülsmann Octet – While I Was Away
German jazz pianist Julia Hülsmann just released her 10th album for the prestigious ECM label. Called “While I Was Away”, she more or less returns to earlier works on ACT Music where she recorded several albums with vocalists. On her most recent effort, there are three very distinct vocalists, each representing a certain mood and sound. They are Angolan singer and songwriter Aline Frazão, German jazz and experimental singer Michael Schiefel, and Norwegian jazz vocalist Live Maria Roggen. And except for the leader’s very imaginative, at times pointillistic piano play, bassist Eva Kruse and drummer Eva Klesse, the fourth voice here is the duo of Héloïse Lefebvre and Susanne Paul on violin and violoncello, respectively
The album starts with a bubbling piece written by Zélia Fonseca with lyrics by Rosanna Tavares. “Coisário de Imagens”, sung by Aline Frazao, has the strings and the double bass pushing the rhythm forward. Aline brings just enough exoticism and oomph to the track with Eva Klesse coming up with some fiery and propulsive drum work. Aline is also behind the original “Sleep”, where she sings in English using excerpts from a poem by Emily Dickinson. Julia’s playing on this one is exceptionally vivid and expressive and it adds even more mystic elements to the proceedings. I really like the tunes where Live Maria is the lead. Her own “Felicia’s Song” has this wonderful and warm characteristic, cushioned by swaying strings and a poignant, but not too syrupy piano play by Julia. It’s a beautiful piece which also has some Joni Mitchell qualities. The other tune which Live Maria wrote, “Moonfish Dance”, comes out of a totally different bag. It is playful, joyous and has this uncanny ability of telling a buoyant and almost hilarious story. The interplay between Julia and the strings here is truly stunning.
There is one more song which has lyrics by Live Maria and music by Julia. “Walkside” turns into more melancholic fare, aided and abetted by some sinister, truly alluring string work. Julia sets some sparkling tones here and there and works more behind the scenes on this one. “Hora Azul”, once again with Aline on vocals, perfectly describes that blue hour which adds even more arresting phrases here. Aline gets a truly elusive backdrop with piano and strings only. All three vocalists can be heard on “TicToc”, which uses parts of a poem by E.E. Cummings and where all of them really gel harmoniously. And on “You Come Back”, with lyrics by Margaret Atwood, Michael takes over the lead on a track which is getting too theatrical for my taste here which is also the case on “Up, Up, Up, Up, Up” (written by Ani DeFranco) where his singing sometimes comes across as too extravagant and over the top. It is even the case on the otherwise really beautiful composition “Iskele”. So far the album is not slated for vinyl release.
