This album is planted directly in the soil of nostalgia and authenticity, flourishing into a sentimental collection of beautifully written songs.
Self Release – Available from Bandcamp
Laura Lantano (vocals); Sam Leak (piano); Duncan Eagles (tenor saxophone)
In her debut recording, Laura Lantano presents a collection of original, contemporary tunes influenced by her love of jazz standards and song writing. ‘Returning to Myself’ is a beautiful and delicate recording which touches on Lantano’s life experiences and stories of love and heartache, through intricate arrangements and story-based lyricism. With Sam Leak on piano and Duncan Eagles on tenor saxophone, this trio glide through the 9 tracks with a natural ease and chemistry.
Lantano started piano at age 4 and went on to write her first song at age 8. She developed a connection to jazz through listening to vocalists like Betty Carter and Carmen McRae, simultaneously discovering a love for musical story telling. The idea of ‘Returning Home’ centres Lantano’s songwriting, highlighting the magic that comes with new beginnings and feeling attached to certain places and people.
The title track instantly introduces the listener to Lantano’s smooth, powerful tone and the comforting chord progression. This harmonic repetition is reassuring and predictable, almost like the idea of returning home to what you know.
Both ‘All is Not Lost’ and ‘Eyes Wide Open’ are introduced by Duncan Eagles on saxophone. The saxophone material is catchy and distinctive and works in close conjunction with the vocal melodies. The reduced instrumentation brings attention to the vivid imagery in Lantano’s lyricism.
‘Mind Over Heart’ displays Lantano’s versatility when it comes to her songwriting; a bossa nova-like feel dominates the track and immediately contrasts the nostalgic and emotional feel of the track before, ‘Waiting for Someone’.
This album is planted directly in the soil of nostalgia and authenticity, flourishing into a sentimental collection of beautifully written songs.
Reviewed by Isabel Marquez
