HELENE ATTIA  - THE EYES OF LOVE (2004)

Vocalist/songwriter Helene Attia performs smooth and sensuous Mediterranean Jazz with enticing Latin and Pop influences in English, French and Italian.

Helene Attia - vocals & guitar

Jack Gates on Guitar

Norton Buffalo, (the Steve Miller Band) on harmonica

Rodney Franklin, (Stevie Wonder) on keyboards

Paul Van Wageningen (Sheila E.) on drums

Garth Webber (Miles Davis) Guitar

Terry Miller, (Prince,Steve Miller) on bass

Kit Walker, (Windham Hill) on keyboards

Roger Glenn, (Cal Tjader) on flute, sax & vibes

Owen Davis, (The Temptations ) on congas

John R. Burr, (Robben Ford) on keyboards

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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET

Helene Attia is a multi-lingual vocalist, lyricist and composer, she sings in English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, she blends smooth jazz, with even smoother Latin and world music. The Eyes of Love features Ms. Attia, flowing through thirteen songs of love, loss, passion, pain, romance and promise with a voice rich in soft velvety tones. The recording is well produced with great arrangements and splendid accompaniment on all of the tracks.

The recording opens with a song entitled “South Beach” an original composition that sets the tone aptly for what follows, smooth, warm, romantic music that paints pictures of warm climates and relaxed atmospheres. The saxophone interludes by Kent Cohea on this song are very nice as is the guitar playing of Jack Gates, the tone and effect adding to the laid back, good time vibe.

A song that mixes many styles but is heavily influenced by a European flavour, “Tout Passera” features a wonderful harmonica solo by Norton Buffalo, if the liner notes had indicated accordion, it would have been believable. The song has a melancholy feel, sadness in the sound of Ms. Attia’s vocal delivery, yet promise, in the beauty of the musicians’ upbeat performance.

A little humour is included, “The One Who’s Right” has Ms. Attia speaking in a sing- song voice with a heavy French accent, she explains her position in a relationship with a man - who adds some bias commentary, the voice in response is conguerro, Owen Davis who explains his side of being right - because he’s the man.

An Italian song, “Estate” is performed in a pleasing Salsa like manner, with fresh arrangements and passionate singing. The saxophone playing of Richard Howell adds depth with great phrasing and a full, sweet tone that compliments the song to near perfection.

There are many highlight moments on the album The Eyes of Love, some nice songs with good singing, great accompaniment from some excellent musicians and wonderful arrangements and production, that all go into making this a CD worth giving a listen to.