Album Review: A Window Within from Olivia Foschi

Album:  A Window Within
Artist: Olivia Foschi
Label: Self-Released
Website: OliviaFoschi.com

Coalescing impressions of bossa nova, swing, scat, and smooth jazz, vocalist-composer Olivia Foschi's latest release A Window Within expresses an array of moods from festive to reflective and convalescing, as the listener follows her personal journey from her marriage to the loss of her grandmother.  The recording is a collaborative effort from Foschi and her drummer Mauricio Zottarelli in the the heart of the arrangements.  The tracks are further defined by pianist Matt King, bassist Marco Panascìa and guitarist Vinicius Gomes, giving Foschi’s compositions distinctive features and dimension.

“Caught Me By Surprise” captures the memorable moment of Olivia’s first encounter with her future husband, Joel Kretschman. The piece is clad in percussive vocals that amplify raw emotion.  Shifting gears to the mollifying melody of “Pieces of Central Park,” Foschi creates a cozy and comforting ambience.  Inspired by the sight of the staff at the Central Park Conservancy while at work, according to the press release, "this song explores the notion that, much like gathering leaves, one can collect fragments of the park’s solitary visitors to mend discarded dreams of love. It is a reflection on finding unexpected beauty and moments of joy amid the solitude, challenging the common narratives associated with the iconic park."

Prompted by Foschi’s son’s suggestion to “live with it for a while,” the celebratory vibe of "Live With It," co-written with Mauricio Zottarelli, blends Latin accents with easy listening elements augmented by the squiggling puffs of King's melodica and Gomes's sleek guitar riffs. Delving deeper into the Latin influence, “Cun la Préma Stëla” revives a traditional song from the 1920s by D. G. C. Martuzzi and A. Spallicci.  Garnering a folkloric tint, the press release describes that Foschi's "arrangement for voice, cajon, and guitar breathes new life into this tale of young lovers reunited, preserving a piece of her heritage and keeping a dying language alive. This track underscores her commitment to her roots and the importance of cultural memory in her music."

“Nona" permeates a reflective mood, and is characterized in the press release as "a heartfelt tribute to Olivia’s grandmother, Joan H. Martin, reflecting on her profound influence and the poignant circumstances surrounding her passing during the early days of COVID-19. This song navigates the complex emotions of loss, distance, and the longing for closure, aiming to offer solace to those mourning loved ones amidst unprecedented times."

The moonlight glow of the instrumentation illuminating “Savoring the Rain,” depicts intimate moments, relishing the simple pleasures of life. The bossa nova ringlets, brandished by Gomes's soothing ruminations on the guitar, have a natural stride enhancing the harmony among the instruments. Keeping the ride along a gentle keel, “Subtle Farewell” is an introspective piece, which the press release explains, "bids adieu to the past while embracing the transformative journey brought on by recent years. It’s a musical reflection on the continuous cycle of endings and beginnings, encapsulating the introspective and evolving nature of Olivia’s artistry."

Each track on the recording reveals a page from Foschi’s personal journal, inviting listeners into a diverse array of human experiences woven through the universal language of jazz.  Recorded at Trading 8s in Paramus, New Jersey, and mixed and mastered by Dave Darlington in New York City, the recording demonstrates Foschi’s artistry and her journey through life’s multifaceted challenges. Dedicated to her brother, Alex, and in memory of “Nona” Joan H. Martin, the music has a convalescing slant, inviting listeners to share in Foschi’s private and emotional tides.

Musicians:
Olivia Foschi - vocals
Mauricio Zottarelli - drums/percussion
Matt King - piano/Rhodes/melodica
Marco Panascìa - bass
Vinicius Gomes - guitar