CD review: Carolina Moon "Mother Tongue"
By Mark Robinson (UK Jazz radio)
Having known Carolina Moon for several years, having been around her at the start and through most of the life-cycle of this project, I was very happy to see the final product come to life. As rewarding as that was though, even more rewarding is the final musical result.
After the first listen I commented on Graham Reid's Elsewhere website "World class music from Carolina and the band. This is as good as anything you will hear coming out of Europe on the specialist "World Music" labels. Excellent playing, arrangements and production proving that NZ has passionate, exceptional musicians." and after several repeat hearings it still holds true.
Carolina has a wonderful rich tone that coupled with her passion for the lyrics makes this a stand out piece of work. Fusing music and lyrics that were composed in medieval Sephardic Judeo Spain between 1100-1492 with 21st Century instruments and New Zealand musicians could quite simply have resulted in a discordant mishmash that was neither true to the original nor representative of modern interpretation. However, rest assured that this is not the case. The music sounds fresh. The solos from all band members across the 13 tracks on this CD sound as if they were written as part of the original compositions, but of course they were not, and that is what really lifts this release from a mere vocal-lead CD to a true fusion of traditional and improvised music.
"Como La Rosa" is the standout ballad track for me with Carolina throwing in to the mix a few bars of jazz-like scatting and Nigel Gavin moving things along with wonderful guitar backing (as he does throughout the release). Easily the best "world-jazz-folk-fusion" piece of music to come out of New Zealand (or anywhere else for that matter) for many years is the stunning track "Tres Hermanicas". On this track we not only hear exceptional playing from all band members, including a beautiful soprano sax solo from Roger Manins, but also the quality of the recording, mixing and final mastering of the CD. That is why this CD deserves recognition and acclaim far beyond the shores of New Zealand; it is a complete package; musicianship, arrangements and production.