Album Review: Jazzy Italian from Vanessa Racci

Album:  Jazzy Italian
Artist:  Vanessa Racci
Label: Zoho Music
Website:  https://vanessaracci.com

Jazz singer and lyricist Vanessa Racci displays a perkiness relatable to vocalist Allyson Briggs, an iridescent resonance reminiscent of Sarah Brightman, the soulful melodicism characteristic of R&B's Marilyn McCoo, and a vocal elasticity that vibrates with the fiery boldness of vintage pop star Brenda Lee.  Racci's vocals are modelesque while being flexible, easily fitting in with jazz, pop, R&B/soul, and musical theater melodies. 

Her sophomore release Jazzy Italian shines the spotlight on contributions that Italian songwriters and performers have contributed to the cabaret jazz landscape with tunes like "Volare," penned by Domenico Modugno, Franco Migliacci, and Dean Martin, and "I’m a Fool To Want You," sung by Italian-American crooner Frank Sinatra, who co-wrote the song with Jack Wolf and Joel Herron.  From tender serenades like "A Sunday Kind of Love" to the Latin-fused rhythm of Chick Corea's bubbly "You’re Everything," and Racci's own original swinging rhapsody "Come Back Home With Me," adorned in Steven Feifke's rustling keys and the shuffling bass beats of Mark Lewandowski, Racci courses through a jazz-inspired repertoire that is a delight for audiences.

The sinuous stride of her vocals accentuate the sultry vamp "At Last," as Feifke's keys stud the track in glistening streaks that act as a glider for Racci's vocal soars.  There is an intuitive quality in Racci's vocals, knowing instinctively where to place the accents and inflections in the lyrics as she trusses Nick LaRocca, Larry Shields, and Johnny Mercer's playful romp "At the Jazz Band Ball" in a flirtatious swagger.  Her alterations on Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer's iconic ballad "Moon River" have an affect on listeners, mesmerizing them as Sam Dillon's flute swirls elegantly in curling flutters.

Her rendition of the burlesque-imbued melody "Coquette," written by Johnny Green, Gus Kahn, and Carmen and Guy Lombardo, brings out a sensuality in her vocals that fodders a fiery soul jazz tint.  Moving forward, the samba shimmy cording "Make Love To Me" bolsters the spirited sprint in Racci's vocals, which drifts into a reflective mood along Frank Sinatra's memorable "I’m A Fool To Want You."  Racci bathes the lamenting verses with a feminine purr that personalizes the track, tailoring the dramatic swells with a sentiment that radiates a human touch.

Along Jazzy Italian, Vanessa Racci performs songs, including her own original that have a connection to Italian singers and songwriters, who have left their mark on jazz from its inception to modern day.  The recording is a collective effort, driven by Racci's vocals and supported by musicians who highlight the vitality in her resonance.  From sensual and flirtatious to reflective and lamenting, Racci canvasses a wide range of moods, mesmerizing audiences and affecting them with an intimate touch.

Musicians:
Vanessa Racci - vocals
Steven Feifke - piano/arranger
Glafkos Kontemeniotis - piano/arranger
Mark Lewandowski - bass
Charles Goold - drums
Sam Dillon - sax, flute
Max Darche - trumpet, flugelhorn
Alex Jeun - trombone
Danny Conga Valdez - congas