Hiromi Kanda - 'Hiromi in Love'

Back in the 1980s, Kimiko Itoh, a Japanese jazz singer of some renown, began building a dedicated American fan base with her release of several big-label albums on which she was backed by top-flight contemporary jazz musicians.

Singer and lyricist Hiromi Kanda, born in Nagasaki, Japan, hopes that lighting can strike twice – but in a different way. While Itoh covered both standards and jazzed pop tunes, Kanda mines the Great American Songbook – accompanied by members of the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra. Trouble is, the musicians often outshine Kanda.   Kanda’s pleasant, sometimes breathlessly entreating voice, with a noticeable Japanese diction, creates “readings” of evergreens like “My Funny Valentine,” “All the Way” and “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning,” on which she’s most interpretative. Two originals, “Always Here for You” and “Blue Love,” showcase Kanda’s sensitive lyrics. What’s missing is heart, a true sense of engagement and vocal individuality – a little fire. Everything’s too mannered, too tame.   – Marvin Leon Lake

Tracks to download  “Always Here For You,” “When I Fall In Love”

Buy "Hiromi in Love" in CD format

Buy "Hiromi In Love" in MP3 format (Links go to Amazon.com)

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