“Soul Love” by Jennifer DeFrayne
Album Review by New Age CDs and New Age Notes Radio Staff
What is more profound than love and connection that runs soul deep? After a long absence from composing and recording due to debilitating health and personal challenges, award-winning Jennifer DeFrayne emerges triumphantly with her new heartfelt, emotionally evocative piano based album “Soul Love.”
Joining Jennifer on the 11-track album is a host of first-rate musical talent: Charlie Bisharat (violin), Eugene Friesen (cello), Michael Manring, (fretless bass), Premik Russell Tubbs (flutes, soprano sax, EWI), Jill Haley (oboe, English horn), Sara Milonovich (fiddle), Fiona Joy Hawkins (vocals), and Jeff Haynes (percussion).
From the opening notes, the music feels like a deeply personal and intimate conversation between artist and listener rather than just contrived compositions for the sake of a “comeback” album. Here, we are sincerely invited into a world of reflection, healing, and reconnection.
The music flows elegantly all through with supreme grace and elegance, and what strikes you about it is its sheer authenticity. There is a certain maturity and depth coursing throughout each song that can only come from someone who has traveled through difficult seasons and emerged with a renewed appreciation and zest for life and creative expression. Here we have the juxtaposition of moments of tender vulnerability blending seamlessly with passages of uplifting strength.
The album opens with the beautiful and haunting “Finding You,” which was also released as a single. Sensitively played melodic piano blends so gorgeously with expressive strings. There are spaces to breathe and “find” oneself again. There is everything to love about this track.
Following is the equally lovely “You and I.” Again, piano and strings paint a very romantic, picturesque soundscape of love and true connection.
What I really love about this album is that the melodies stay with you long after it’s over. That is real artistry. It’s the emotional storytelling here that leaves the deepest and lasting impression.
Some other highlights: The passionate “Journey of Love” is wonderful with Michael Manring, Premik Russell Tubbs (sax) and Jeff Hayne’s percussion adding rich texture and depth.
The ethereal “The Beauty Within” feels like self-love at its finest. I love the very soft heavenly vocals here. Great chord progressions as well and all is gently flowing and seemingly effortless. Another thing I really like about this song and this entire album is its perfect cadence. Very enjoyable.
The title track is another that is truly memorable. Everything is so perfectly mixed that it doesn’t feel like a “mix” at all. It’s just a great song.
“Playing in the Snow” is, as it should be, reminiscent of childhood. However, there is much more here. Adults can have fun playing in the snow too.
The gift of love is never to be taken for granted. “Abby’s Gift” flowing, melodic, perfectly balanced, upbeat, and well, just completely lovely in all regards. And somewhere in our own lives we all have an “Abby.” Very nicely done.
A favorite on this album, although I hesitate to even attempt to pick one, is “Caribbean Sunset.” I just love every single aspect of this song – including, but certainly not limited to, Premik Russell Tubbs’ flute – which has perfectly captured that “vacation” feeling. This is one to listen to again and again. It kind of makes your spirit soar. Love this.
When it’s time for this album to end, we find that we don’t want that to happen. “Memories of Them” seems to bring up all our soul connections in a loving reminiscence. We remember them and remember us. Just gorgeous.
Jennifer’s musical gift of being able to communicate powerful emotions gently, elegantly, and without words, shines more brightly than ever. You will want to get the entire uplifting album to experience the unmistakable renewal and rediscovery this music brings to your soul.
Get it here: https://www.jenniferdefrayne.com
