Search - Sasha Dobson :: Modern Romance (Dig)

Distinctive grooves.

Hal Charles | 03/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The daughter of notable jazz musicians -- pianist Smith Dobson and singer Gail Dobson -- Sasha Dobson has the genes and a strong musical foundation to make powerful, uplifting music.



She carries on in the jazz tradition of past greats like Ella Fitzgerald, with a sultry voice and extensive performance experience, but she remains an unconventional performer. Now 26, Dobson has been performing professionally since she was 16, in the process crafting a unique fusion of Brazilian and American jazz.

With 10 years of professional experience under her belt -- she's long performed with the Dobson Family Band and the Chris Byars Octet -- Dobson likely has amazing success ahead of her.

"Modern Romance", Dobson's new album, is a fine collection of originals and genre-bending covers of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' "Modern Romance" and Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo".

Like many young jazz singers nowadays, Sasha is trying for a mellow pop-jazz groove à la Norah Jones.

Her plangent, almost vibrato-free voice rides over a mélange of island rhythms, bossa nova and folky acoustics, mostly in new songs she has co-written. They go down as easily as frozen margaritas, never more beguilingly than when she slips in scat syllables like "dit-doo, die-yah-da-doo" in 'Four Leaf Clover', or simply "ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh" in 'Cold to Colder'.

Listen to this very nice album and enjoy."

Is it jazz?

Michael | Cary, NC United States | 01/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't know. I thought I had read about this under new jazz releases, but I'm not sure I'd categorize it as jazz. I'm really not sure what category it falls under. But it is a very pleasant experience listening to this young woman sing and the very nice production of this album. All of the songs sound very similar; obviously the same producer had his fingers in each track and had a particular "feel" that he was going for. But it works, and I highly recommend it."

A Welcome Discovery!

Ted Griffin | Seattle, Washington | 08/30/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sasha Dobson is one of the best (and sexiest) singers I've heard in a good while. She breezes through some brilliant original bossa novas on this beautifully recorded album, but doesn't forget to swing when the band strikes up Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo". The record manages a charming stylistic diversity without being all over the place. A very impressive list of musicians includes Jesse Harris and Richard Julian, but Tony Scherr steals the show for me with his free-wheeling bass lines. Totally creative. I had heard of him before, but only now see what all the fuss was about. One can only hope this band tours live!"