This song segues into the first of the album's two interludes, both the fruits of her collaboration with brother Nick Wood, which weave samples of Andréa's singing into a hip-hop mix. His story solidifies a running theme, balancing tragedy and the simple beauty of day-to-day living. Andréa then turns the emotional tables for the heartbreaking "Arabesque of Love and Loss," a song inspired by her great uncle, who died shortly after she recorded it, just shy of his 102nd birthday. Wood's voice is clear and her timbre matches very well with the reed work of guest tenorist Donny McCaslin which comes across as angular yet buoyant, setting up a gorgeous canvas for the vocals, that lift her even higher. The album opens with "Intuition" and Wood establish right from the start that the journey is going to be beautiful and creative.
#Wood kaleidoscope full
Wood's power comes from a diaphragm that emits a lush, full-bodied voice that still maintains full femininity and will engage the listener from start to finish. The pieces have smart lyrics and in-the-pocket grooves that slowly unfold to tell their unique stories. Wood has an unique ability to get all ears and feet engaged immediately with her clever originals. For the neophyte, she serves up hip arrangements from Stevie Wonder "You and I," Carly Rae Jepsen "Call Me Maybe," and Bob Marley "Three Little Birds." Wood's originals are characterized by a straight eight groove oriented undercurrent that will appeal to both the devotees and newcomers. For the aficionado, Wood includes the classic "Nature Boy," that sheds new light on this well-known melody with many reminders about the art form's origins. Kaleidoscope finds Wood displaying her well-honed composing and arranging skills, adorned with originals, sprinkled with a pop standouts and a dabble of classic gems.
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The discerning aficionado will find Wood's vocal control and sense of rhythm deeply studied in the tradition, while the neophyte with easily relate to Wood's strong sense of groove and story lines of her originals that invite further exploration. Wood has done an excellent job of compiling a twelve song program that is accessible in the deep history of jazz along with her well-crafted originals. Devotees and newcomers alike should feel equally welcome when listening to Kaleidoscope. Andréa Wood presents her second album as a leader with, Kaleidoscope.