Lara – Lara (2017) review

LARA

Lara (HOMERECORDS-2017 BELGIUM)

https://homerecordsbe.bandcamp.com/album/lara

This self titled debut by singer and multi instrumentalist (flute, guitar, & percussion) from Antwerp, Belgium is a gorgeous display of Lara’s talent. Accompanied by Nicolas Dechene (musical arrangments, guitars, bass, baritone & glockenspeil), Tristan Driessens (oud), Erno le Menthole, Lucas Lovinfosse & Amiro Moerenhout (backing vocals) and Etienne Plummer (drums, percussion), the music spreads like gentle seeds over a genre of various world music, covering eastern, jazz, classical, folk, pop and unique fusions. Two of the songs are based on poems. ‘Prayer For Land’ (track 2) is from Thich Nhot Hanh and ‘Survive’ (track 9) is from William Blake.

The attentive listener will hear hints of Flora Purim, Azam Ali (from solo and groups NIYAZ & VAS), the Rupert Hine produced early 80’s female singer ‘Milva’, and similar sensual vocalists in the heavenly registers. This music is laid back in the greatest way. It is made of beauty for the ears for those in need of euphoria. Rare is the event of any artist releasing a more sincere and effective set of songs. There is nothing to find fault with here. Just twelve ear pleasing soothing but powerful flowing songs for the relief from this stressful world.

Reviewed by Lee Henderson 10-20-17