Album Review: I Guess We're Not Alone from The Beveled Edges

Album:  I Guess We're Not Alone
Artist:  The Beveled Edges
Label Name: Detrallas Records
Website: https://thebevelededges.com

Endowed with a voice that can lull audiences into a blissful respite and equally lure them onto the dancefloor, singer-songwriter Shelly Bhushan is partnered with 7-string guitarist Anthony Lanni whose playing wraps delicate embellishments around Bhushan's vocal melodies.  Together, they form The Beveled Edges, a multi-faceted duo who integrate Parisian soul with Latin swing, prairieland folk, classic orchestral pop, and bluesy torchlight vocalese.  

Their debut recording I Guess We're Not Alone is comprised of 10 original tunes, featuring an accompaniment that includes:  Arei Sekiguchi on drums and percussion, Haruna Fukazawa on flute, Tosh Sheridan on piano, Brad Whitely on organ, Garry ianco on strings, Alejandro Berti Delgado on trumpet, Ric Becker on trombone, Jeremy Powell on saxophone, and Will Holshouser on accordion.  Though their ensemble consists of a wide assortment of instruments, the arrangements are sparse and offer Bhushan's vocals space to spread her register's wings and showcase the dynamic elasticity in her resonance.

The Beveled Edges's debut came out of the gate with a clarion vision, transporting the listener to a Parisian bistro in the softly lit embers of "Paris Isn't Paris Without You," twining suave tangoesque strokes across "Amarillo" harnessing the dreamy ambience of a Latin dancehall, and proceeding into the haunting folk-infused pastoral of a modern-day Woodstock-style, social conscious gathering in "Down The Stairs."   The anthem driven lyrics of the latter track reflect, "The reasons for your battles / is a blurry history / the duties to your family / are sufferings of a war / your enemies will find you / to push you down the stairs / caller act about you was followed by a laugh / tragedy had found you or perhaps you met your match / your enemies will find you / and push you down the stairs / but I wish you peace."

The misty nocturnal atmosphere of "Fade Into The Sky" surrounds Bhushan's pensive vocalese as she is serenaded by Powell's smooth saxophone wails and the steady pulse of Lanni's guitar strums.  The shuffling stride of Lanni's guitar orbits around Bhushan's bopping, succor-enriched vocals along the straight-ahead jazz melody "Never Too Late," and closes the recording with the eloquent and charming sprigs of Holshouser's accordion.

Bhushan and Lanni bring together western, Latin and European influences and music cultures, integrating them into a savory fusion that penetrates listeners.  Each song has its own characteristics, its own story as all of them demonstrate a zeal and vitality for life

The duo's press release touts, "Together, their unique sound is a tribute to their personal musical journeys, shaped by a shared sense of sonic freedom carving out a space on the beveled edge of music, free to shape their artistry and forge a deeper connection to the world around them—resulting in truly beautiful songs."

Musicians:
Shelly Bhushan - vocals
Anthony Lanni - 7-string guitar, mandolin, keyboard vibes & organ
Arei Sekiguchi - drums and percussion
Haruna Fukazawa - flute
Tosh Sheridan - piano
Brad Whitely - organ
Garry ianco - strings
Alejandro Berti Delgado - trumpet
Ric Becker - trombone
Jeremy Powell - saxophone
Will Holshouser - accordion