Composer
Duo "Interplay"
with Corinna Reich and Dirk Strakhof
The ultimate challenge for the jazz vocalist.
Singing that melody with assuredness and building your improvisation without the benefit of chord-support from a piano, guitar or instrumental ensemble. Showing what you're made of, vocally, by daring to record a demanding program of 15 tunes, accompanied only by a bass. This is where they separate the men from the boys. Or, in the case of Berlin-based female vocalist, Corinna Reich, the ladies from the girls.
The most recent example of such adventuresome vocalizing that I can recall is Mark Murphy's 1983 recorded tribute to Nat King Cole, which featured vocals with separate accompaniment by individual soloists on guitar, piano and bass. Back then even the Great Murphy never thought of risking an entire vocal outing, supported only by a stand-up bass!
All the more credit to Corinna for what she has achieved here, with the outstanding assistance of bassist Dirk Strakhof. They have set new standards for pure courage and musical innovation.
In addition to four originals by Corinna and one by Dirk, the program includes several fine standards, among which my favorites are the title-tune "Interplay", the Lambert, Hendricks & Ross classic, "Centerpiece", and a very humorous rendition of "The Thrill is Gone", where Corinna evidences a command of English and its nuances that is found only very rarely in a European jazz singer.
But it's the original tunes from this session that I find most tantalizing. Especially the opening number, "Still". Check out Corinna's vocal improvisation here. Impeccable phrasing and intonation.
As for the bassist, Dirk Strakhof provides, throughout the entire session, much more than mere accompaniment and emotional support for the vocalist. This is particularly true for Dirk's performance on his own original song, "Jerry's Mood".
A final word of recognition here to Canadian alto saxophonist, Mike Segal, who provided the excellent lyrics to three of the original tunes on this disc as well as to the Bill Evans classic, "Interplay".
Tom Maguire
Berlin
October 2006