S.T.A.R. – SULTRY.TENACIOUS.ALLURING.RETORIC
There is Jazz, and there is Miss Lana Rita, and when I heard the two combined, I said yes please, and then… please can I have some more.
Lana is an Australian Institute of Music graduate and has performed backing vocals for some of the most successful artists in the business; Kylie Minogue, The Madden Brothers and Jessica Mauboy. Lana has also appeared as a vocal coach on the hit show; ‘The Angels of Reality TV’ (Season 6), was part of The Voice Australia team; touring and performing at the live shows and she's a regular on the music scene in Sydney… And she still finds time to dance!?
Rita's voice is pure silk on "Tryin'' and the JJT's musicianship bodes well with her vivacious vibrato. This track is slow, mellow, off the beat (just as jazz should be) and makes for a perfect kick back and relax song after a long hard day at the office with a glass of red, but, by no means should this be mistaken for easy listening. It's a tempestuous song about a woman, who well…really just wants to be left alone. Lana resonates strength and attitude reminiscent of that found all over the 'Who is Jill Scott' record. Brilliant!
And when speaking of Jill Scott, it's unheard of to even imagine anyone else being able to deliver a performance of 'Golden' like her, but Lana's cover is EPIC and is the best version of this song I have ever had the pleasure of 'bopping' to; in fact I consider it a travesty I haven't had the opportunity to see this live ("Lana…Brisbane's calling").
I'm a big Philly Soul fan and she certainly knows how to draw you in with her passion and soulful tones, for me, this artist is up there with some of the best names on the circuit; Res (Golden Boy), Jill Scott (Golden), Musiq Soulchild (Love).
Lana is a diverse Jazz singer which we see through her transformation from attitude to jubilance and sweet romance where she covers Baden Powell's 'Samba Em Preludio'; its amorous, it's airy, it's love and it's leaving you wanting more.
The likes of Norah Jones, Amy Winehouse, Diana Krall, Duffy are Lana's peers. I am blown away by how much this artist is ready to be everywhere. I want the single, the album, the Jazz club entry and the concert ticket. I'd see her at the Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House and Madison Square Gardens. I am extremely excited to hear what's next from this Jazzabelle, and am eagerly awaiting the time I get to see her live, impromptu and even with a little scat thrown in for good measure; her tone is perfect for it.
Miss Lana's sound and performances give me fond memories of evenings spent at London's legendary Ronnie Scott's and Jazz Cafe and a perfect night would need to have her on the bill, with a big band, a smooth cool drink, topped with the significant other, it's simply the stuff dreams are made of.
"To sing well and to dance well is to be well educated" (Plato) ….and the S.T.A.R. known as Lana Rita, …will certainly be teaching us all a thing or two.
Upcoming shows:
1st & 8th of October, 8-11pm at Tokio Hotel, Darling Harbour, Sydney.
Listen at:
https://soundcloud.com/lana-rita-sayah/tryin-original-demo-feat-the-joel-jenkins-trio
Info:
https://soundcloud.com/lana-rita-sayah