Brettina: New Sound of Jazz

What defines a female jazz vocalist today? Is it someone whose albums feature at least three American Songbook standards? Must the singer be backed by well-known jazz musicians? What about her sound? Does she have to be bluesy? Or is this checklist outdated? There's probably no concrete answer to these questions. I do know that I'm tired of hearing the same songs over and over again, no matter how good the singer's voice. For me, the singer known simply as Brettina is among those artists who are trying to break the old, tired mold. 

Brettina Robinson's debut CD, Brettina, isn't a traditional jazz vocal album. It's better. On the album, Brettina works through mostly originals, each melody and arrangement more captivating than the last. Born in Nassau, the Bahamas, Brettina's warm-weather roots are evident throughout—in the stories she tells and in the lilting surfy beats on many of the tracks. Best of all, Brettina is genuine and completely inside the music.

Catch the The Bug's tidal sweep or the jazz-soul intensity of Chai. Or the shimmy-funk 1980s feel of Kirkwood Coakley's My Time to Shine and the lower-register ballad Pardon the Storm. Brettina takes on Harry Belafonte's Island In the Sun but rather than mime the calypso singer's version, she delivers the song with a rock-a-by feel. And dig One, my favorite. It builds and smolders, topping off with a terrific piano solo by Tracy Carter.

To me, this is a first-rate jazz album of emotional beauty that is personal and endearing. And it grows on you. To Brettina's credit, she's patient with the material, never over-singing or trying to be something she's not. I suspect that what we hear is pretty much who she is.

To be sure, this CD will be a little different than the jazz vocalist albums you're accustomed to hearing. But the same passion and sincerity we expect in traditional jazz vocalists are here. And like any good jazz vocalist, Brettina constantly pulls you toward the lyrics and makes the listen a one-on-one experience. Also fabulous are the album's arrangements, which consistently engage you and perfectly support the artist.

JazzWax tracks: You can sample Brettina Robinson's Brettina at iTunes or here. A CD version is available through her website here or at Amazon here. Hats off to Tracy Carter, who produced this album and plays exceptional piano throughout. Carter also had a hand in the writing several songs. 

Comments

[Rab Hines]

This leads me back to the recent discussion about singers choosing - often to their disadvantage - well known standards that seem to have definitive versions by greats like Sassy and Lady, et al.

Many of us listen to 'free' and 'avant' players doing standard tunes to get a feel for how they handle something familiar; to get an idea of their style and approach and to be able to further understand what they are doing, or attempting, with their original music. I think a certain group of singers - and I state now that I am not a great fan of vocal performance - try to perform standards so as to have an apples-to-apples comparison for the listener. I find it usually, as you have pointed out, doesn't work to their advantage.

So, having said that, I am intrigued by your review and I do appreciate a burgeoning artist choosing original material. It works, for me at least, with Jeanne Lee and Devorah Day; I'm ready to check this young artist out and to try to catch her in performance.

Thanks again, Marc.

[David]

Following the link, I noticed that this appears to be being sold only as an mp3 download. Several years ago the record industry, after getting everyone to replace their LPs with CDs, tried to get us to trade up to SACDs and DVDAudios. Instead the public ran the other direction, opting for lower-fi, but cheaper and more portable, mp3s. Many younger people won't even buy these and rely on free downloads (legal or otherwise.) While the quality of mp3s has improved somewhat, a popular new genre of music has sprung up actually called "low-fi." Fans of this genre seems to be put off by anything that doesn't sound distorted and frequency limited. Additionally DJs are becoming more popular than live musicians. Very curious developments. Listening to the samples from this album, I got the impression that the singing was of very high quality, but that it was more of a smooth jazz album than something that will appeal to hard core jazz fans - of course you can only tell so much from 30 second samples. Some of the drums sounded canned, but since there are drummers on the album maybe they are just imitating that sound, or have been edited to that purpose. Again, these are just impressions from the samples and should be taken with a large heap of salt!

[LEE.]

TO THE REVIEWER!
THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING FOR THE MAJORITY OF US LISTENERS.
WE ARE SO WEARY OF ALL THE OVERSINGING YELLING AND THE COMPARISONS.IT IS SO REFRESHING TO HEAR A SWEET NATURAL AND HONEST VOICE.BRETTINA WAS SOOO LONG EXPECTED.SHE REALLY FEELS THE LYRICS OF EACH SONG.WE CAN TELL THAT SHE HAS LIVED THROUGH HER STORIES OF PAIN HEARTBREAK AND APPRECIATION FOR LIFE.I ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT SHE DOES'T TRY TO SOUND LIKE ANYONE ELSE.LATELY MOST ALL FEMALE SINGERS SRE SOUNDING ALIKE.I HAD THE GREAT OPPORTUNITY VISUALLY CATCH BRETTINA IN PERFORMANCE AND SHE WAS AMAZING.SHE HAS PUT A NEW FACE ON JAZZ AND I LOVE IT.
THANK YOU.
AN ARDENT AND AVID FAN, LEE.

[David]

You can listen to as much of this album as you like at this site: http://www.jango.com/music/Brettina?l=0 She's an excellent singer but the music was, for my taste, too slick and soporific to hold my attention; so I clicked on a picture of Chet Baker and was treated to a great selection of instrumental jazz by Chet, Benny Carter, etc. Apparently you can type in the name of any artist that you like and get a selection music by "similar" artists. These seem to be based on the selections of other users, and you can save your own choices to "create your own radio station."

[Delerease]

Brettina Your voice is so soft an refreshing, You made me look at jaz in a new way. waiting for your new CD, keep on singing your songs.God bless

[Jeude Nova Robinson]

Great Job My Beatiful Cousin. Congrats. Keep Doing What you Doing. Music Is What We Do.
Way To Make A Change !

[sheena cooper]

Brittina you are a Blessed young Lady with an Amazing Gift with your Voice ,i love your CD ,That is all i listen to day and night .
So glad to know that we still have GOOD quality songs to listen too ! Brettina your songs tell a story and also have a message none of that sex this and that .
Brettina you are Beautiful and very Talented you are the REAL DEAL !!!!!!!!!
P.S im waiting on a Concert
From your # 1 Fan Sheena

[Crystal]

I recently purchased a copy of this CD and was pleasantly surprised. Brettina is a unique artist with a smooth sound and I look forward to hearing more of her music! I am definitely a fan!

[Andria Newman]

Brettina's music embodies the sound of current jazz mixed with an intoxicating longing that opens the door to beautiful relaxation. This CD is a MUST HAVE!!! Not one disappointing track and that's very rare these days!

[Lockheart]

This is the best CD I've heard in a long time! I savor every song like a good cup of tea.

[Katrina Hill]

Organic. A poetic masterpiece of raw lyrical talent. Brettina’s musical compilation infuses the mind, body and soul with a new eclectic solidification of sound. Brettina has done what so few have dared to do. Simply, be herself. The feeling of ease and comfort envelope the subconscious putting it in a catatonic state. The purified sounds cascade off of every note played and every word sung. Her light, crisp and airy notes float off of every breath reprieving you from the daily grind. In essence, a new jazz precedence has been set. Simply put... I'm ENAMORED!!!!

[Steve S.]

Very soothing, relaxing sound. The music coupled with Brittina's voice is a beautiful mix and I love the vibe. Can't wait to hear more new music from Brittina!

[Timeeka Moore]

I had the pleasure of receiving my copy of Brettina's debut CD at my family reunion, which, unfortunately, she could not attend. The family memebers whom she has yet to meet had no idea that such talent lied within our family. The soothing relaxing sound that this CD offers was a good addition to the dinner hour. I just loved how Brettina included a photo of her dad (my first cousin, Brettina is my second cousin) and a schoolyard photo within the liner notes. With those photos, Brettina infdicates that she knows where she came from and whom are her influences.

Many recording artists from the Bahamas haev not have long-term commercial success in the US. I will be glad to say that the first (or one of them) will be one of my own.

[Irina]

Great work! Soothing sounds of jazz. Beautiful voice that makes you want to kick back with a glass of wine to get away from the world for a bit. Looking forward to more beautiful work from Brettina in the years to come!

[Margaret M]

An absolutely beautiful CD. Usually on any CD,I have at the most two favorites songs. On this one I really enjoyed the entire CD! Brettina's beautiful voice and style of jazz is like watching a sunset at the end of a hard day.

[Di Smith]

Brettina your voice is sooo amazingly phenonimal!! Your sound is extremely unique and cant be compared to anyone, as you are and have always been simply YOU, your music stands in a place of its own, your songs make me feel as though I have traveled to your homeland and back. I listen to this CD over and over and look forward to many more to come.

Thanks you for blessing us with such a pure positive, unique sound.

Your fan always,

Di Smith

[Judy Bonicelli]

WOW! What a voice, what emotion! I can hear the angels. Tina, you have really outdone yourself on this. I absolutely love this CD and it is the only one I listen to in my car day in and day out! Your roots come through in this, and you give such glory to the suffering of your mom and how she struggled to raise you with the strength of her faith in God. Those are your real roots. You have a gift and are using it to heal the world. Thank you, All my love,
Judy B.

[Loretta Thomas]

Brettina, you have an amazingly unique, fresh and beautiful voice and I enjoy listening to your CD.

I look forward to seeing your face on bill boards and ultimately watch you perform on the big stage. When I saw you perform and won the Miss Talented Teen Bahamas Competition, I knew this would only be the beginning for you.

Brettina, You are the example that producers like Quincy Jones and Clive Davis ought to sign on their labels. You are talented, beautiful, intelligent and definitely star quality!

The world awaits Brettina

[Jo]

Love to listen to you, Tina. Keep your head up and yes...it is your time to shine!! (Bahamian Girl is still my favorite!!)

Peace and Blessings always,
Jo

[Nisa Anderson]

hello brettina, what a beautiful cd..... just finished listening to it for the hundreth time and it still relaxes me and takes the stress off my mind......thanks for creating a wonderful cd! Your music is my therapy!!!God Bless U!