Ruf Records artist: Ina Forsman - Been Meaning To Tell You - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Been Meaning To Tell You, from Ina Forsman and it's really strong. Opening with power ballad Be My Home, Forsman presents her vulnerable sounding vocal style over organ and piano by Red Young and gospel like backing vocals by Mark Kazanoff and Alice Spencer. Very nice. On Get Mine, blending hip hop vocal delivery and funky wah wah guitar by the notorious Laura Chavez, joined by Brannen Temple on guitar and Chris Maresh on bass really kicks this release into gear. Stepping high on Genius, Forsman moves further into a R&B groove with an excellent bass line and the Texas Horns (Mark Kazanoff - sax,  John Mills bari sax, Al Gomez - trumpet, Randy Zimmerman - trombone) with yet more sassy guitar style by Chavez. An interesting track, Why You Gotta be That Way has strong lines in neo soul with flavors of one my favorites, Eryka Badu. The band glistens on piano and tight bass and drum lines makes this fusion track one of my favorites. Blues ballad, Miss Mistreated really showcases Forsman's voice and it's rich strength with solid emotion. Also playing right into Chavez's had, Laura grabs the track by the short hairs accenting Forsman's vocal emotion with excellent guitar punctuation. Latin flavored Every Single Beat gets a strong latin rhythm going and you start to wonder if Forsman can do about anything. The Texas Horns are jolly on the spot with just that right tough of punch and Temple's drums and percussion is perfect. Wrapping the release is Sunny showing Forsman alone, acapella and powerful. Nice closer. Who wouldn't be proud of this release. 

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Ruf Records artist: Ina Forsman - Self Titled - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, a self titled debut from Ina Forsman and it's terrific! Opening with Hanging Loose, Ina Forsman hits the road running with a solid and powerful, almost indescribable voice. Joined by Laura Chavez and Derek O'Brien on guitars, stellar piano work by Nick Connolly on keys, Russell Jackson on bass Tommy Taylor on drums and Mark Kazanoff on sax, John Mills on bari, Al Gomez on trumpet and Aaron Kazanoff on trumpet this is a solid opener. On Pretty Messed Up you hear solid sounds of the 60's R&B scene and Forsman sings like a star. Showing total confidence and composure, this girl can perform. With a cool piano opening by Connolly, Bubbly Kisses, eases up with a bit of 40' style mystery. Forsman's voice is intoxicating and with subtle nuance and outright power she commands your attention. Backing vocals by Alice Spencer, Tommy Taylor, Nick Connolly and Mark Kazanoff with sassy trumpet work by Al Gomez sets this track up nicely. Reggae track, Farewell, has a super rhythmic feel and really rich vocals. Masterful work by Taylor, Chavez and O'Brien gives Forsman plenty of room to do her stuff and she takes the track by storm. Trumpet accents by Gomez and Aaron and nice harp work by Helge Tallqvist makes this a particularly memorable track. Don't Hurt Me Now is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Forsman covering a latin beat with heavy B3 work by Connolly. Her vocal phrasing and effortless vocals, complimented by a slick solo by Chavez is tight and beautiful. Blues style track, Talk To Me, is given a tint of old school with solid blues style harp work by Tallqvist. Soul ballad, Now You Want Me Back, has a lot of punch with old school, up front vocal, warm backing vocals and nice horns. Very cool. Slinky, Devil May Dance Tonight, rides high on the drum work of Taylor and bass styling of Jackson. Essential piano phrasing by Connolly really works nicely with Forsman's voice and shimmery guitar work by Chavez adds to the dimensional qualities of the track. Very powerful. Fifties styled, Before You Go Home, really has style bringing thoughts of the late Amy Winehouse. Forsman has a powerful tool with a lot of character and she knows how to parlay it. A lower octave guitar solo by Chavez and relentless piano work by Connolly set the bar for this track. R&B track, No Room For Love, has a super beat and tight horns. It's obvious that Forsman has been doing her homework and studying the best in her stylistic influences. Very nice. Wrapping the release is Nina Simone's I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl and it is over the top hot. Forsman shows just how smoking hot she really is with all of the blues you could possibly pack in one track. Backed only by Connolly, and with a sultry sax solo by Mark, this track is an excellent cherry on top of the whipped cream.



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