Beady Belle
Tuesday, August 30th, 2005 by Paul Irishnu jazz // norwegian soul
Beady Belle is a result of collaboration between vocalist Beate S. Lech and talented instrumentalist Marius Reksjø which began at the University of Oslo. Marius earlier worked with the Bobby Hughes Experience and joined Beate in developing an album for Jazzland Records, requested by nu-jazz godfather Bugge Wesseltoft. From Beady Belle’s newest album, Closer, is “Goldilocks” which gives me everything I want out of a nu-jazz tune in a fine smooth progression. I get vocals similar to Diana Krall, some organic clap and tambourine action popping in, and even a killer blues rhythm guitar break-out solo session.Hot groove, sweet vocals, and an organ tickled with white gloves.
Just like Sly & The Family Stone’s “Dance To The Music” and Archie Bell and The Drells’ “Tighten Up”, this track has an additive instrumentation structure. James calls for the bass player first, followed by the drummer, and then gets some organ action stirring up that pot. Once some horns drop into the groove, you know the hot game is on. This group didn’t make a big record, but they were considered the “number one Miami and Miami Beach band of the funk era.
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It’s interesting – trying to come up with a time of day this song fits. It could fit early evening, the sky burns orange as you sip from a light pino grigio. It could fit a loving Saturday morning, your hand gently trailing up and down her back while the warm sunlight beams through the window. It could even fit the commute home after a tough day. But the genius of this beautiful song isn’t necessarily its versatility; rather, the song holds the power to elevate you into a new setting. A soothing guitar supported by subtle percussion and enhanced by a most gorgeous vocal melody by Brazilian wunderkind Lucas Santtana creates a new place of mind for you to enjoy.
Three talented German jazz musicians were on tour in Cuba with the Dresden Philharmonic, when they fell in love with the Cuban music. A casual meeting with Compay Segundo led them to two talented Cuban percussions. The group then spontaneously ignited up a fiery session of cross-cultural musical intercourse. It was in this sudden compatiblity when the Klazz Brothers realized how perfect Cuban music complemented the classical pieces they knew so well. The result was their debut CD, 
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