Kim Cypher is one of the U.K.’s most popular saxophone players. Her 2016 album Make Believe was well received, and she has hardly paused for breath since.
The story behind Love Kim x, her upcoming follow-up album, is intriguing. Kim told me it was inspired by a lady she met with whom she had an instant connection. She was devastated to find her friend was battling with Stage 4 breast cancer and when she found out her favorite song was “At Last” by Etta James, Kim recorded the number for her. Then she wrote “Maybe” for her. This song was the catalyst for the rest of the project.
“Having made the decision to embark on a second album, I decided I wanted to create an album of inspired original music together with a selection of favorite classics – arranged with a quirky, jazzy twist,” Cypher told me. “I decided to dedicate this album to everyone who supports me on my musical journey, my friends, my loyal supporters, everyone who keeps me going – and so the title Love Kim x was born. Basically, it’s an album from me to you, with love.”
Kim continued: “I wanted to bring in some of the finest musicians I know to bring my music to life and to create a diverse mix of styles and genres. This is basically what I’m all about. It’s just good music. There is an element of jazz that runs through all my music but my style is very varied and I really wanted to capture this. I also wanted to showcase my all-round musicianship as a composer, arranger, saxophonist and vocalist. The project also gave me a great opportunity to express myself artistically and creatively with a carefully planned theme and a selection of photographs by Ron Milsom. It has been such a great project to work on.”
It all came together on Love Kim x to create a career highpoint, she added. “Love Kim x is without doubt an example of some of my best music and captures me at the height of my musical career to date,” Cypher said. “It has been great fun producing this album together with my husband (and drummer) Mike and it has been an incredible experience working with such great musicians from the U.K. and U.S. I am very proud of this work, and of all the musicians featured.”
“The Nearness of You” starts with a two-part version of the familiar Hoagy Carmichael/Ned Washington number. The first section is slow and languid, with crystal clear lyrics over soft and gentle sax and a delicate piano line, then it is developed into an engaging swinging second part. Kim Cypher’s vocals are emotive and there is a great tenor solo from Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown, Van Morrison). “Maybe,” a Cypher-penned number, is delicate, spacey and ethereal. Dedicated to Kim’s friend Karen Jackson, it tells of the effect a good friend can have, possibilities and how inspirational they can be. Kim delivers a gentle, eloquent soprano sax solo and sings with style. There is a positive energy to this heart-felt tribute, which features Karl Vanden Bossche (Jarimoquoi, Jason Robello, Gorillaz, Gary Barlow and many more) on percussion.
“Soul Eyes” is an instrumental version of Mal Waldren’s standard, it’s gorgeous and rich. The track opens with a tenor sax solo from Kim Cypher which soars and sighs its way around the mode, before giving way to a piano-led section steered by David Newton. A duet section between sax and piano is then underpinned by the percussion section of Mike Cypher and Karl Vanden Bossche, before the sax sighs its finale. “Comes Love,” a Sam Stept / Charles Tobias / Lew Brown track, is pure midnight jazz. There’s a bluesy feel which the musicians deliver with slick, stylish aplomb. Kim calls this “one of my favorite songs, a cheeky little number showcasing my tenor sax playing alongside my vocals.”
Bobby Womack’s “Breezin'” is introduced by Lee Jones, who creates a guitar riff which dominates the track. It’s ultimately developed into a theme which transcends this classy instrumental. The soprano solo from Kim Cypher is rounded and full, and the band is tight, enjoying the melodic lines. Their version of McCabe’s “Valerie” is beautiful and delivered with style. Cypher’s voice suits this track, and the slowed-down approach allows the lyrics to be heard crystal clear. Kim says this is “an example of a quirky arrangement of a well-known classic. Myself and my husband Mike work together on the arrangements. We felt a jazz version of ‘Valerie’ in 3/4 would work really well. It is a very stripped-back song on the album, with a lot of space.”
“People Get Ready” is an instrumental version of the Curtis Mayfield classic, and is also well worked. Glorious alto solos from Cypher steal the track: The first is delivered with a raspy freedom of style, which is impressive and engaging. That’s followed by a guitar solo from B.D. Lenz (Randy Brecker, Mark Egan). “Highland Mike” is Kim Cypher’s dedication to one of her mentors, Mike Carter. It’s a lovely, lilting, ska/reggae-infused number with great tenor again from Pee Wee Ellis and Kim. At one stage, they combine forces in a harmonic duet par excellence. The outro is beautiful.
Cypher said Carter “introduced me to so much incredible music. He loved reggae. He also loved Pee Wee Ellis, so I composed this track as a tenor sax duet for myself and Pee Wee. It is quite unusual to have two tenor saxes together but it works, and it was awesome to perform this with Pee Wee. Having studied with him, our styles really complement each other.”
“Rising From the Dust,” another Cypher composition, is a rich, textured song about a relationship and the aftermath. Featuring some powerful vocals, this track features a well-developed narrative, lifted by a great guitar section form Lenz. “This is a very special original song for me. I composed it many years ago following a life experience,” Cypher said. “I wanted to get across a message that everybody in life has the right to shine and nobody should ever take that away. It’s about having self-belief and about rising above any negativity. Although this song was composed a while back, it was only when I met B.D. Lenz that I knew he was absolutely the right musician to bring this song to life. He has the perfect edgy vibe for this rocky song. I also brought in the Kentwood Show Choir directed by Sheila Harrod to really bring a wow factor.”
“A Time to Reflect, a Time to Forget” is a lilting, gentle sashaying number written by the band’s guitarist Chris Santo Cobbson. On Love Kim x, it’s developed into something very European, with some delicious sax soloing on soprano from Kim Cypher. “I love this track so much,” Cypher said. “I asked Chris if I could include it on my album. He was delighted and it brings a lovely feel-good vibe to the album. Chris is Ghanaian, and this track is a wonderful example of South African Township music.”
“Baker Street” is a brave choice, taking Gerry Rafferty’s radio favorite and delivering it a la Cypher. This well-delivered update gives generous room to the entire band, while the well-travelled solo sections are tweaked, added to and expanded upon – all without losing their impact. “I love performing our energetic arrangement of this saxophone classic,” Kim said. “It really showcases the phenomenal playing of B.D. Lenz on guitar and Alex Steele on piano. It’s a bit mad, but we love it.” Great guitar work again is featured, and this develops into a full-on number featuring the entire gathering of musicians. It’s a terrific track to finish the album.
What is noticeable on Love Kim x is its different moods and essences, both the familiar and new. The atmosphere deftly switches from European je ne sais quoi to a classic jazz approach to danceable, rhythmic playfulness, and there is a maturity to the music which is pleasing and engaging. The arrangements are generous in their use of each musician, and the band responds in full. There is a relaxed feel and an easiness with which the band deliver each number, varying the tempos, rhythms and feel of even familiar numbers so they gain a new individuality.
I have been hearing Kim Cypher for a while now and she has featured on radio series and shows I have curated, and it is wonderful to see the delivery and confidence of this well-honed and stylish musician gaining increased recognition.
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