Louise Cappi Delivers Tasty Jazz Treat With “Hope” Album

New Orleans Jazz singer/songwriter Louise Cappi is preparing to launch her second full-length release this fall, Hope. Utilizing her experience as a resident of Mahogany Jazz Hall in New Orleans, and performing across the New York Jazz scene, Louise Cappi delivers a majestic, soulful performance on Hope, which is raising a lot of attention her way. With already over 25k streams and 10k views, Loiuse Cappi’s first single, title-track from Hope, is already building momentum in jazz circles and is the perfect first impression before we dive deeper into this truly elegant release. A track rich in metaphor, creating a narrative for the consequences of too much hope while showing the rewards for believing, “Hope is the anchor of the fear-driven soul”. Hope is an eight-track, along with alternate takes thrown in, of clever instrumentation, smooth jazz melodies, and deep in the pocket grooves that scratches that jazz itch we have all been experiencing for some time. Pedaling vibraphone undertones coupled with scat guitar highlight Louise Cappi’s dynamic range of vocals on “Talkin’ Talkin’.” An up-tempo track recorded as it’s performed, off-the-cuff, loose, and free, while staying perfectly tight with the musicians and keeping the listeners dancing. “Keep That Dream Alive” opens with some deep syncopated bass funk which really has some groove, before leading up to the vocal call and response style chorus featuring back-up singers harmonizing with Louise. This effective songwriting structure captivates the audience as she builds her tension with her crowd before belting out her inspirational chorus.

Although reviewing every track is outside the scope of this review, Hope offers listeners a tasty jazz treat, filling their jazz appetites with high-level, professional musicianship, clear, thought-provoking lyrics, and magnificent vocals worthy of a residency in the illustrious New Orleans. Louise Cappi delivers a jazz albumnperfect for any jazz radio rotation. With clear, crisp frequency separation throughout the mix and plenty of headroom allotted, this album can be listened to effortlessly at high volumes, without distortion and digital noise. As a traditional jazz fan, Hope caters to my need to follow certain jazz formulas and rules, yet breaks out of the jazz mold and offers that little extra to satisfy the contemporary jazz fan budding to bloom.

–Lee Callaghan