Talinka is the debut CD from Tali Atzmon's Talinka ensemble released on Fanfare Records. Tali is an actress, film maker and musician from Israel and here she teams up with Jenny Bliss Bennett on Viola De Gamba, Violin, Flute and vocals, Yaron Stavi on double bass and Gilad Atzmon on bass clarinet, soprano sax and accordion.

This is an album of atmospheres, ethereal mists and wisps of evocative erudition snatched from the air and captured, held in place by the steadfast hands of the musicians and over ridden by the gentle, tuneful vocals of Tali. The CD is a great introduction to Tali and her musical class and style. From the gentle, lilting wordless opening track, Talinka to the moody and dark tinged, Losing Vision the CD shows a range and wealth of vocal ability. On Losing Vision the bass clarinet works some magic whilst the vocals sear their words into the slightly vacuous atmosphere left open by the sparsity of the arrangement - this was penned by Tali and the arrangement is intriguing in that it works its way into upper register almost subliminally and is basically a duet between bass clarinet and voice. Baroque Bottom is atmospheric and light of tone, with a deliciously quirksome interlude from flute, soprano sax and gentle, slightly overworked but still interesting vocals. Billie Holiday's Don't Explain is given a breathy delivery and suits Tali's voice well and benefits from not trying to be anything like Holiday's version so it takes on its own identity. 

Bronislau Kaper's Invitation begins with deep, sonorous bass clarinet before percussion and double bass pad out the beat between them, developing the swingy, sassy number but here it has a distinctly eastern promise added by the soprano of Gilad Atzmon which is playful and technically superb. Four to Tango is a Gilad Atzmon written piece developed around a rhythmic theme set by the accordion which is deftly counterpointed and textured by the bass and later vocals introduce an over arching gentle modus. There is a lovely section where vocals and soprano sax interact in eerie cacophony and a bit of exploration seems on the cards, in delightful opposition to the theme until it is re-introduced bringing the piece back to ground again.  

Heimet is a group penned number with a slightly bonkers arrangement centred on several registers and works itself into the opening of Raye DePaul's You Don't Know What Love Is which is almost perfectly positioned to ambush the listener with its dark take on this number. From the gapped chorded opening to the gentle, sensual lyrics and tune, this is delivered well. When You're Gone is slow, gentle, easy on the ears and contains a gorgeous and well defined string interlude with bass and viola literally speaking in song to each other, I just wanted the accordion to stop at times. Every Now and Then closes the album and  tells a dark story reminding us the importance of remembering.   

This album is decent, fine and everything a good album should be. The vocals are low, soothing and strong with a touch of Kitt thrown in now and again for good measure. There is not a huge range but the songs are well penned and chosen to suit which is sometimes just as important. The arrangements have Mr. Atzmon stamped firmly on them and personally thinking, there is a sense that just a touch more generosity to the vocals would have been interesting but here there is folk, jazz and Eastern blended together, with a touch of the Baroque with the use of the gamba in a genre transcension which defies categorisation and time- just good music should be. The musical backing is excellent and the arrangements sound and full of texture, which makes this an album which is easy to listen to - the slight problem is there is nothing to woo or wow in terms of exploration but there is a sense that is maybe around the corner. The sleeve notes say the musicians believe in simplicity and have a hope the listener will enjoy the CD and this is fulfilled.  It is an album to put on when you are in a good mood in the knowledge your mood will still be good at the end.      

Personnel:

Tali Atzmon - vocals

Jenny Bliss Bennett - Viola Da Gamba, Violin, Flute, Vocals

Gilad Atzmon - bass clarinet, sprano sax, accordion

Yaron Stavi - double bass

Guests:

Frank Harrison - piano

Enzo Zirilli - percussion.

Label: Fanfare

Release June 2017