by RJ Frometa

So let´s face it, Jazz is one of those genres that not everyone´s really into and only a few have found the way to hit the charts in an industry were art is been overshadowed by shallow entertainment, where what matter the most is not your talent or the sound or the lyrics but your physic, beauty and even persona. However, thanks to phenomenal artists like Michael Bublé, Amy Winehouse or outstanding movies like Oscar nominee Whiplash, Jazz might be drowning but it´s surely alive.

Sacha´s Bloc´s Heart on Fire is an amazing piece of music Jazz lovers –and even those who doesn´t- would surely be delighted with. ¨Day In Paris¨ kicks off the album in a pretty classic way with a sound reminiscent of the great Frank Sinatra where the singer makes a great contrast between the life and the thing the city is perhaps mostly known for, love. ¨Feel Like Jazz¨ really feels like it and we leave NYC 50´s bars for same age´s Chicago cabarets with sensual vocals and music that fits so well. ¨Black and Blue¨ it´s another single that stands out for its change in the tempo and also because even though you can still hear some Jazz in it, it also has some R&B and Soul elements that helps creating that romantic vibe the band was aiming for.

As you listen through the album, the love for this band grows in you. Perhaps what I didn´t like it´s that even though the music is great, maybe for my lack of knowledge in the genre, but after a while all songs started sounded the same. Yes, they made few cool arrangements here and there like changing the tempo or adding more drums solo like in ¨Manhattan¨, but for me it wasn´t enough and I am one of those person that after a while of hearing the same thing in an album, not only bores me but it´s a disappointing – especially when I was starting to like the group or artist. So my recommendations for the next record will be, try to experiment with other genres as other do and play out of your comfort zone.

Overall, this is a nice album I am sure Jazz enthusiasts will really love. If you are one who still digging your grandpa or father´s classic albums within this genre, I am pretty sure you are going to love both the band and album. For those who doesn´t -like me- but have an open mind (or should I say ears?) for music, there´s a big chance you will also like this.