Laura Doyle, aka Baiana, has released her debut Brazilian inspired jazz album which has been produced by the highly acclaimed UK Latin percussionist, Snowboy. Laura, who was born in Liverpool, was inspired to create Baiana (pronounced ‘By Anna’) after living in Rio de Janeiro and immersing herself in the culture there.
Laura has enjoyed a multifaceted career and her diverse experiences have enhanced her ability to become a creative and colourful songwriter.
With a shared love of Brazilian music, Laura teamed up with the artist Snowboy, and the result is a beautifully produced album of eleven songs, which range in style from sultry Sambas, through to cool Bossa Novas and which feature Laura singing in both English and Portuguese.
It’s impossible to keep still as soon as the music starts playing – I don’t normally dance, but from the offset, I’m transformed into a budding contestant from ‘Strictly’, with much shimmying and wiggling along the way!
Baiana is reminiscent of the uplifting feel good music of Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine, and Laura’s effortless and silky vocal delivery is as stylish as Sade, and as romantic and soulful as singers from the 40s and 50s.
The instrumentation is rich and dynamic – sumptuous strings rise out of the infectious rhythm and brass section, and soulful guitar solos compliment Laura’s beautiful voice just perfectly. I love this album and it transforms your mood instantly into something altogether much warmer and sunnier. All the tracks are fabulous, and my personal favourite is the haunting ‘Love Me or Leave Me’, which I find myself singing throughout the day, long after the album has finished playing.
Sue Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
