It seems popular musical artists nowadays only utilize brass horns for ska-oriented music. But one artist taking the trumpet to a more traditional jazz sound with a pop music twist is Kami Lyle.
November 7, 1997
With Lyle’s debut Blue Cinderella, the singer/song-writer offers 11 originals that collectively sound like the soundtrack to young, single Manhattan-ites, which was no mistake on Lyle’s part considering the majority of the material was written in New York.
And that is where Lyle’s talent seems to lie in her ability to create intimate setting images and paint detailed pictures through her soft trumpet playing and airy vocals. Her focus on locale carries songs like Midnight Club.
Even her storytelling gives off an incredible sum of nightclub atmosphere impressions. No one is dancing except me and loneliness, she dizzily sings on Midnight Club, Steps I wish I never knew.
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Mr. Moon stands out from the rest lyrically with Lyle’s adolescent story about her attempt at slipping past a bouncer with her older sister’s identification card (I am 14 with my sister’s face on the fake I.D. that you got your flashlight on/Staring down on her not me). The chorus is catchy enough to show promise for Lyle in crafting upbeat pop music.
It is only when Lyle tries to croon on songs like Love Me that she unfortunately strays from her style.
As a whole, Blue Cinderella flows well. Lyle presents herself as a formidable songwriter for the most part.
But upon further listening, it is easy to see the album is missing a song showing Lyle’s ability to mix soft, easy jazz with her capability to write true pop music.
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