Adrian Younge: Presents … Voices Of Gemma Vinyl LP

Adrian Younge enlists opera singer Brooke deRosa and jazz singer Rebecca Englehart for this project. Entitled Adrian Young Presents: Voices of Gemma, the 10 tracker is informed by r&b, funk, jazz, as well as late-'60s and early-70s psychedelic soul, and the prolific composer lays down a backdrop that elevates the already immense talents of the featured vocalists. "Stranger by the Sea" opens up the LP, and the guitar-driven beat, w/ loose drums and a roving bassline, leaves plenty of room for the ethereal vocals. A similar vibe continues through "Silhouette Dreams," with the jazzy "Heaven's Found" shaking up the pace w/ a lush horn/string section. "Come Back" is a haunting number characterized by the operatic vocalizing, and "The Leaves" feels like a new found gem from the days long gone. "Dreams with You" is another standout, but really, there is not a song you should skip on here.

• gatefold sleeve
• includes insert
• music label: Linear Labs 2018

reviewed by rei kwondo 07/18