Artists Central Review Latest Album Signature by Sylvia Brooks

Sylvia Brooks is a fast-rising Jazz vocalist, her latest work is delivered in the form of a nine-track album entitled “SIGNATURE.” Sylvia brings her audiences a mesmerising combination of smooth articulate vocals backed by organic and soulful instrumentation.

Opener “You’re Heart Is As Black As Night” delivers a stunning opening showcasing the artists solid and nostalgic vocals right away. “Catch 22” is a lesson in fine Jazz oozing lush charisma and enticing saxophone solo’s.

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Sleeping Bag Studios Review Sylvia Brooks’s Signature

According to the details I’ve been readin’ on the ol’ internet from my Google machine over here – it sounds like solo artist Sylvia Brooks has challenged herself to add a bit more into this particular record, her fourth since she first started releasing music professionally, called Signature. From what I gather, she’s spent a good deal of time covering the works of other musicians out there – and this time around, for the most part, her new album is stocked full of her own original tunes. Cleverly bookended though – she’s got a cover tune at the beginning & end, with Melody Gardot’s “Your Heart Is As Black As Night” kicking things off, and Leonard Cohen/Sharon Robinson’s “Boogie Street” closing it off for the finale.

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Scott Yanow from LA Jazz Scene Review Sylvia Brooks’ Signature

Sylvia Brooks was born in Miami to a jazz pianist (Don Ippolito) and an opera singer (Johanna Dordick). She began her career working in the theatre in New York, moved to Los Angeles, and since 2009 has been singing jazz-oriented music. Signature is her fourth recording.

This set is different than her previous recordings in that Ms. Brooks composed seven of the nine selections, also performing one number apiece by Melody Gardot and Leonard Cohen. Some of the music stretches beyond jazz into other areas. The rap on “Red Velvet Rope” by Perro Lou is unfortunate and “The Boy That Lived There” is pop. But most of the other selections are either superior ballads (her rendition of Gardot’s “Your Heart Is As Black As Night” is one of the highlights) or medium-tempo ruminations.

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UN VOYAGE SONORE À TRAVERS « SIGNATURE », LE NOUVEL ALBUM DE SYLVIA BROOKS

On continue notre réveil en douceur avec un moment musical des plus magiques dévoilé par Sylvia Brooks et son album « Signature » à découvrir au plus vite. L’opus va accompagner toute notre semaine, de la plus douce et belle des manières.

C’est sur 9 titres aussi enivrants les uns que les autres que la chanteuse nous emporte dans un voyage à travers le jazz et surtout les mélodies solaires, dignes des plus grands. Avec sa tinte soul, parfois subtilement blues, sa ‘signature’ musicale est savoureuse, irrésistible et réchauffe les coeurs.

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Review of Sylvia Brooks’ Signature by Dave Franklin – UK

Jazz can be a much-misunderstood genre, thought by many to be the realm of complex time signatures and almost rules-free improvisation, an elitist and virtuosic musical realm. Then again, doesn’t every genre have such sub-sections within their spectrum? Jazz, like every other genre, is first and foremost entertainment, and as such is accessible, infectious and seductive, and that is certainly a perfect by-line for the type of jazz that Sylvia Brooks delivers.

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