Lua Hadar with Twist - World Jazz (2008)Bellalua Records

On her second solo album, Lua (vocals) took Jason Martineau (piano, udu) with herself and invited five new musicians: Andrew Higgins (acoustic & electric bass), Jim Zimmerman (drums, percussion), Patricio Angulo (Latin percussion), Tony Malfatti (reeds) and Dave Miotke (accordion).

It's the next time Lua sets to work on poorly known songs by the likes of Marian McParland, Johnny Mercer, Hubert Yves Giraud, Jean Drejac, Joni Mitchell, Dan Fogelberg, Ernesto Lecuona, Bronislaw Kaper, Helen Deutsch, Nini Giacomelli or Franco Bertoldi. Some of these name can be known to people who are deep in jazz music, but they are anonymous to the most ones. It's a great loss for them, since Lua's music teaches listeners to live with a given point. There are so many people existing on the globe thoughtlessly that we need to have such brilliant singers like Lua played at our homes. Every single note tickles our ears giving us inspiration and tips how to live happily. Listeners can encounter references to cabaret, funk, pop and even Latin music up to scratch. There are catchy and accessible tracks like Joni Mitchell's "All I Want" as well as more subdued songs like Twist's original one titled "No Borders". The latter song is a poetic cut with tones sounding like falling raindrops. I am admired by a tempting saxophone, but I can't go past an astounding command of voice by Lua and instruments by musicians. Their playing is very fluid and compelling.

Although their technical abilities are unquestionable, technique is not the most important element on the album. Feeling and emotions are the key to understand "World Jazz" properly. I won't reinvent the wheel, if I write that the music is as charming as its female performer. I have no doubt that her vocal is so tranqullizing, relaxing, mind-refreshing and endearing that her name should be spotlit worldwide. I wish I watched her live singing with an Australian tenor singer, Stephan Potgieter! It would be a wonderful showcase of the male-female virtuosic singing in possibly most romantic performance!