The Most Beautiful Sounds Next to Silence

A bold move the octet maybe, but in an album that covers a wide stylistic base Hülsmann has executed a wholly satisfying shift in her music that coalesces with a sense of unity and purpose that leaves you wanting more.

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Over the last two decades Julia Hülsmann has built an impressive discography with firstly her trio and latterly a quartet that has showcased not just her talents as a pianist but also as a composer. In a bold move, the pianist presents an all-new group expanded to an octet featuring three vocalists alongside violin and cello.

There is nothing left to chance with the octet and the pianist has been clever in her choice of musicians to make up the group having at the disposal the classic jazz piano trio, a vocal choir and a classical trio of piano, violin and cello. Hülsmann has also carefully selected the repertoire for the octet choosing not to write all the music herself but drawing compositions written by her colleagues.

The resulting album therefore refuses to be categorised and is likely to be influenced by Brazilian rhythms as it is chamber music and jazz. This juxtaposition of genre allows for an intoxicating and often infectious musical adventure that is woven together with some wonderful arrangements.

The album opens in dramatic style with ‘Coisário De Imagens’ with wonderful vocals from Angolian singer Aline Frazão and a superb solo from cellist Susanne Paul, while ‘Sleep’ brings together of the trio and strings in a fine arrangement of Hülsmann’s composition and the lyrics from Emily Dickinson’s poem ‘Sleep Is Supposed To Be” once again sung by Frazão.

Live Maria Roggen brings her unique vocal stylings to her own stunning composition ‘Felicia’s Song’ and the equally wonderful ‘Walkside’ with Roggen adding lyrics to a quartet piece of Julia’s; and piano, strings and voice blend perfectly on ‘Hora Azul’ with Hülsmann providing the music and Aline Frazão the lyrics.

Throughout this engaging programme Hülsmann’s Octet continues to delight. ‘TicToc’ is a fun piece that pays on the concept of time, rhythm and the words of E.E. Cummings with a fantastic use of the voices and a fine piano solo.

A bold move the octet maybe, but in an album that covers a wide stylistic base Hülsmann has executed a wholly satisfying shift in her music that coalesces with a sense of unity and purpose that leaves you wanting more.

(https://jazzviews.net)

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