Vocalist/guitarist
Rebecca Martin is essentially a pop-folk vocalist, as indicated on this recording of introspective songs that sidles closer to a contemporary singer/songwriter style. To her credit, though, she has surrounded herself with such top-notch contemporary jazz artists as
Kurt Rosenwinkel,
Larry Grenadier, and
Brian Blade.
Martin has a fragile voice that is part
Laura Nyro, part
Stevie Nicks, and part
Joni Mitchell. A quiet, somewhat restless edge, middling soul inflections, and an inward insular sense of oneness identify her music and lyrics.
Rosenwinkel wholly contributes to the arrangements and sound sculptures, playing his typical electric and acoustic guitars but also acoustic piano, amplified Fender Rhodes piano, and even vibraphone.
Grenadier and
Blade are peerless partners in linear rhythms and steady-rolling waves of liquid pop and light rock beats.
Martin should play up to the strengths of these musicians but succeeds best when laying back, as on the light Brazilian love song "A Million Miles," a cryptic and elusive "Make the Days Run Fast," the question-and-answer tune "Free at Last," and the prettiest piece, "The Space in a Song to Think," with a repeated four-note theme emphasizing two guitars and
Rosenwinkel on the Rhodes. Her most forceful façade, "After Midnight" in rock mode, takes on the perspective of an observer; "To Prove Them Wrong" in waltz time with
Rosenwinkel on acoustic piano (a treat!) is her premier cut of personal deep emotion; and
Martin's solo voice with guitar during "Pieces" expresses both revelation and reconciliation. The overall range of styles is somewhat limited, but the last two songs deviate on different levels. "You're Older" speaks broadly and harshly of the aging process, while "Talking" (co-written by
Jesse Harris) is equally off-putting, regretful, and more about not talking.
Martin has presented songs that for some will be hit and miss, while others might find this fairly consistent on the drama meter, albeit idiosyncratic. ~ Michael G. Nastos