four roses
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four roses |
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"…The
magic of the singer's voice was enough to bring out goosepimples. The lyrical
piano runs, the bass slaps or the drum riffs made the knowledgable crowd cheer
from time to time. The standing ovation that they received was a just hommage
to their virtuoso performance..." "Four young women: Florence Melnotte (piano, composition), Béatrice Graf (drums, composition), Karoline Höfler (double bass) and Florence Chitacumbi with her warm sensual voice. A unique world where the relationship between the musicians and the vocalist is a perfect osmosis. I was pleasantly surprised by the talent of these four roses, a remarkable jewel which adds a subtle musical flavour to the evening. No wonder they are so successful in their native Switzerland." FOUR ROSES HISTOIRE
D’EAU - ALTRI SUONI 092 "Florence
Chitacumbi knows what she wants. Vocalizing for Four Roses, an allwoman jazz
quartet from France and Switzerland, she deftly pirouettes through scat singing
passages and purrs through interludes of romantic yearning. In "Scratch
me" a song from the self titled CD that she co-wrote with bassist Nina
de Heney, Chitacumbi growls breathily...Sensuous and swinging, Four Roses
first performed in July 1992 at the Montreux Jazz Festival....Their poppy,
inviting mostly originals jazz incorporates a sweet seasoning of world music.
Four Roses is paced by the light, airy and dancing vocal phrasings of Chitacumbi...." "A lively,
quality jazz. Following a steady swing rhythm, with power and finesse Florence
Melnotte throws herself, body and soul, into enlightening improvisations and
Florence Chitacumbi can use her extraordinary vocal talents" Les Toniques 09.94T. Meyer "Four Roses
currently represents that which is the most subtly joined together, in terms
of jazz and feminine musical sensitivities." L'Express,9.6.97 "Four Roses
is a band of four very talented misses from Europe who sing and play their
way through a program comprised mostly of original songs. It's a convincing
group that intertwines voice and instruments flawlessly while regularly shifting
into high gear. Who said it's a man's world?" "They came
from throughout Switzerland and the surrounding area to form this quartet
for the 1992 Montreux Jazz festival.These four women are travelers, flowing
like running water to find themselves and each other on the shores of this
lake. A certain grace, not cloying, adds contrast to their serious musicianship." "Heart of the
band is the pianist Florence Melnotte, who composes most pieces, holds the
whole play together and shines with her spontaneous and far going solos. Florence
Chitacumbi, the singer, seduces the audience with her charm and presence,
her efficient scat-song and touching ballads. Drummer BŽatrice Graf assumes
a solid rhythmic carpet and offers plenty of clever solos. The whole playing
mode of the Four Roses is extremely refreshing. Even though they sometimes
plays a standard piece, the band doesn't stick to big models at all, but devote
itself serenely and without restriction to swing, hard-bop and groove" "The Swiss jazz
scene has got a leading group: the Four Roses. Its first CD contains 10 light
often balladeous songs, which spread warmth and soul quietness and are hold
by smooth grooves. The power of expression emerges from the tension between
the lyric piano play and the solo voice, that varies from scat and soul to
African song forms." "Four Roses: This
incredibly lively and swinging female quartet could be called "Women Power
in jazzÓ. Florence Chitacumbi produces /presents/ provides us with a fascinating
wide spectrum of expressions, thanks to her very original phrasing, timbre
and feeling, ranging from clear to smoky, childish to careless, with more
or less vibrato. Plus there are the pianist Florence Melnotte, the bassist
Nina de Heney and the drummer Beatrice Graf. Together they build a hard-bop
trio with a relaxed and exploding drive at one time that harmonizes with the
singer perfectly, as well as creating formations where singer and pianist
act in one person." "Subtle jazz; generous,
sometimes audacious, but never preaching, nor militant, unless its in the
universal cause of swingÉÉFour Roses doesn't play women's jazz; it simply
plays jazz. Beautiful music - refined, lyrical and occasionally pugnacious
... They put grit into their music and they don't balk at looking for swing
wherever it may really be - for example in the natural melody of the Creole
language in the song Misik, a true invitation to the dance. As collectively-minded
they are individually talented, their music has no gender, no frontiers -
only a marvellous scent of roses." "Four Roses plays
deliciously cool jazz, their own original compositions. Their interpretations
are varied, but with an omnipresent note of swing. This reviewer, who normally
doesn't like ballads, didn't reach for the remote control during the slower
tracks, captivated by the intense atmosphere they create. We can only wonder
what jewels a live performance has to offer!" "From the first
note they play, even as an instrumental trio, Four Roses fascinates by its
tightness and swing. The pianist, Florence Melnotte, is particularly impressive
for the power of her playing and the lyricism of her inspired solos. The bassist
Karoline Hšffler draws fabulously rich sounds from her instrument. On percussion,
Beatrice Graf wins one over by her precise tempo and her sensuous manner of
caressing the cymbals. When Florence Chitacumbi joins them, she shines and
shows the same mastery. Their bouquet of roses blooms and grows to a final
surprise: a lively, devilish swing session." "Woman power in
jazz: is not always free jazz or free music. It can also express itself in
tonal, melodious, post-bop orientated modern jazz fields. It can be performed
in stimulating, sensual play-fun and combined with catching drive and rhythmic
intensity. The Four Roses have such an effect on youÉ First there is drummer
BŽatrice Graf, who accompanies the others with engagement, sensitivity and
capacity of feeling. She sets strong beats with her short, hard accents in
a rhythmic flow that gives the whole performance more suspense and tension.
The pianist Florence Melnotte plays with strong intensity and a very personal
approach. Like the art of the late Bill Evans, but in a intensified way with
more dynamism, rhythm and loaded with energy. She still offers lyrically expressive
moments. Last but not least: Florence Chitacumbi, the singer nevertheless
moves herself in her own articulation and sound spheres between scat and song,
smoky and clear registers with variable vibrato. Subjective assessment: 90
% (= quite hot, very enjoyable)" |