Oi Va Voi’s third album ‘Travelling the Face of the Globe’ is the sound of a band absolutely at the top of their game. All the elements that the band has developed over the past five years are realised with new found confidence and independence. The band have returned to their roots, taken control of every aspect of their career and reunited with the Grammy award winning producers of “Laughter Through Tears”, Kevin Bacon and Jonathan Quarmby.
“Travelling The Face of the Globe” opens beautifully with the melancholic yet uplifting ‘Waiting’. Second song; ‘I Know What You Are’, showcases the wonderful, smoky vocals of lead vocalist Bridgette Amofah:
“I look up at the sun rising, I know what you are”.
The album unfolds gradually as Steve Levi’s haunting vocal juxtaposes with violinist Anna Phoebe’s soaring violin work beautifully. Here is a band that is completely at ease with themselves and their position in the world of music.
In Amofah Oi Va Voi have found a singer that can use the power of her voice to dramatic effect and yet still remain vulnerable. Elements of Nina Simone and Shirley Bassey combine with a contemporary urban approach to create a sound all her own with the ability to touch and disarm.
On more up tempo songs such as the title track “Travelling The Face Of The Globe” and “Long Way from Home” trumpet player Dave Orchant and Levi play fiery klezmer/gypsy/Balkan lines while Amofah’s vocal and fly on top of the engine of the band’s driving rhythms – Josh Breslaw (drums) and Lucy Shaw’s (bass).
Nik Ammar’s beautiful picking guitar lines on Foggy day echo those found on songs like “7 Brothers” and “Ladino Song” from the “Laughter Through Tears” album.
In true Oi Va Voi tradition the new album also features wonderful guest vocal contributions. Agi Szaloki, who sang the haunting “Dissident” on the group’s second album; “Oi Va Voi” returns to feature on the Yiddish song “S’brent”. Inspired by the folk song of the late 1930s and 40s, “S’brent” tells of the horrors of a burning town whilst elders look on. Szaloki’s Yiddish vocals with their spine-chilling filmic quality drift across the Voi’s beautiful musical canvas.
Oi Va Voi have always been prepared to take risks and rip up the rule book. Legendary French singer Dick Rivers closes the album with the anthemic “Photograph”. His deep, world weary vocal resonates as he plays the part of Emile Zola reminiscing on his struggle to tell the truth of events during the Dreyfus affair 19th century in France.
In “Travelling the Face of the Globe”, Oi Va Voi have finally distilled the lives and influences of 7 Londoners. The band have melted the music of their heritage with the sounds of contemporary London and created songs that will touch and inspire.
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