Click Here for Sound Samples! Epic Production from Groove Note Records! Features Talents of Today's Best Jazz Musicians!
Years in the making and with a cast of thousands and a budget in the millions, this has been an epic effort!!! OK, seriously, the effort was certainly epic and, after a gap of almost three years since her previous Groove Note release (GRV1026 Jacintha: The Girl From Bossa Nova), the wait was well worth it.
Jacintha Goes To Hollywood sees the sensual and seductive-voiced chanteuse take on the challenge of performing theme songs and other well known movie related tunes. The program features an eclectic mix of musical material, from the almost over familiar "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" and "California Dreaming" to "On Days Like These" from the original British version of The Italian Job. Her almost solemn and low key performance of "California Dreaming" will completely blow you away as will her thrillingly dynamic and bossa tinged take on "The Windmills Of Your Mind." Add in a few other classics like "Alfie," "Que Sera Sera" plus a fabulous light 60s-ish version of "A Man & A Woman" (with electric piano and bongos) and voila! - you have the makings of another Jacintha classic.
Featuring Anthony Wilson on guitar, Iskandar Ismail on piano, Larry Goldings on Hammond B-3, and Ricky Woodward on sax, the album was recorded all analogue at 15 ips on 2 inch 24-track masters.
This release represents some of JacinthaÂ’s finest work for Groove Note and is sure to be a hit with her fans and anyone who enjoys audiophile quality female vocals!
"Jacintha Abisheganaden delivers her English lyrics with such precision and lack of accent that it's easy to forget she's a well-known actress in Singapore. The tunes are all from hugely popular movies. No effort was made to include an obscure discovery or two. Jacintha's backing band is always top-flight and this one is no exception. Guitarist Anthony Wilson, who has a couple of killer albums on Groove Note, is a standout. Jacintha works very close to the mike for a sexy and intimate sound something like the jazz thrushes of the 1950s. She is the No. 1 jazz vocalist with many audiophiles due to her and Groove Note's high technical standards - whether on SACD, standard CD or vinyl." - John Sunier
"Jacintha sings several songs from movies in a smooth melodic and refreshingly straight-forward fashion. Eschewing the vocal pyrotechnics, weird utterings and off-the-wall arrangements that sometimes mar many modern singers attempts to make their mark on or improve songs, the entire cast simply sings and plays, sings and plays well and allows the songs to speak for themselves." - Brad Walseth, www.jazzchicago.net
"Jacintha Goes to Hollywood is an easy listening jazz vocal album with the studied influence of singers like Julie London and Astrud Gilberto. With a few exceptions it's a fine choice for a dinner party or relaxation. If these descriptions don't meet the criteria of jazz-influenced vocalists, there are other musical reasons to stay tuned. The presentation of the material is immeasurably enhanced by a very talented Los Angeles ensemble that raises the bar." - Michael P. Gladstone , www.allaboutjazz.com
Musicians:
Jacintha, vocals
Iskandar Ismail, piano
Larry Goldings, Hammond B3, piano (2), accordion (8)
Darek Oles, bass
Joe LaBarbera, drums
Anthony Wilson, guitar
Ron Stout, trumpet
Ricky Woodard, saxophone
Aaron Serfaty, percussion
John Campbell, vibraphone
The Whistler, Howlett Smith
 | 1. On Days Like These |
| | 2. Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head |
| | 3. Alfie |
| | 4. Windmills Of Your Mind |
| | 5. California Dreaming |
| | 6. A Man And A Woman |
| | 7. Easy Living |
| | 8. Que Sera Sera |
| | 9. The Summer Knows |
Product Reviews:
"Jacintha's backing band is always top-flight and this one is no exception... Guitarist Wilson, who has a couple of killer albums on Groove Note, is a standout... Jacintha works very close to the mike for a sexy and intimate sound something like the jazz thrushes of the 1950s- Peggy Lee etc. She is the No. 1 jazz vocalist with many audiophiles due to the high technical standards of Groove Note and the excellence of their product - whether on SACD, standard CD or vinyl." - John Henry , www.audaud.com
"The label has surrounded JacÃntha with an outstanding cast of musicians, who for the most part provide a gauzy backdrop for the singerÂ’s gentle and elegant vocals. The mood for this fine album is set early when Howlett Smith whistles in the laid back “On Days Like These,” originally sung by Matt Monro for the 1969 film The Italian Job. In addition to possessing outstanding vocals, JacÃntha has one of those voices that sounds pleasant, and endears the vocalist to you immediately. SheÂ’s not seductive or flirtatious, but she is definitely charming and romantic. The producers achieved a simple, vintage sound for this CD by recording it in analogue." - rivetingriffs.com
"The Lady presents nine Pop and movie related tunes using her seductive and sensuous voice as she interprets them in tasteful jazzy fashion... Delivering a unique approach to familiar movie tunes, “Jacintha Goes To Hollywood” plays well staying in the light jazzy mode providing a pleasurable listening experience." - Edward Blanco, ejazznews
