STEVE BERNDT

HEART OF HEARTS

Independent Label

Steve Berndt is a vocalist, songwriter and trombonist. The Canadian musician is based in Ottawa and has composed eight of the songs on his new release.  His songwriting skills are impressive with strong melodies and well-written lyrics. One of his compositions, “Blue Skies on Mars” won Best Original Song at the International Independent film Awards in Los Angeles.  That composition is part of the soundtrack for a film of the same name that was recently released in January of this year.  It offers a science fiction theme, unfolding in the 1970s. It’s also a crime-based drama that involves the Irish mob. Berndt adds pizazz to the project when he swings the theme song.

Another original that he has composed is “The Moment.” It quickly becomes one of my favorites with its catchy lyrics and slow swing tempo. Steve Boudreau is featured on piano, and Ed Lister offers an improvised flugelhorn solo.

Berndt has his own tenor vocal style with a tone that puts him in the very selective position of a ‘stylist.’ In other words, once you hear him sing you will recognized his voice and style in the future.  His delivery is full of intension and emotion. Every word is perfectly enunciated. His stories unwind like a multi-colored ball of yarn rolling across my listening room.  Each song is bright, entertaining, danceable and well-written.

“Plus Size Love” is another wonderful original composition by Berndt that’s rooted in ‘the blues.’

Track #7 is an instrumental that shuffles happily from my CD player.  It’s titled, “Triplets A Gogo” and takes us back to that “Gogo” era.  The melody reminds me a little bit of a song called “Comin’ Home.” The arrangement embraces the big band era. It features solos by Alex Moxon on guitar, Petr Cancura on tenor saxophone and Michel Medrano Brindis on percussion.  The horn section punches out the melody, until Berndt soaks up the spotlight during his swinging trombone solo.

Steve Berndt is a smooth vocalist who handles a ballad like “Long Lost Love Affair” with a silky sincere delivery, still putting as much energy into the ballad that he would put into his swing numbers. “Heart of Hearts” is an album that explores themes of love and honesty. His compositions shine!

STEVE BERNDT BAND:  Steve Berndt, vocals/trombone/arranger/composer; Steve Boudreau, piano/Fender Rhodes; Miquel de Armas & J.P. Allain, piano; John Steele, piano/guitar;  Alex Moxon, guitar; Don Cummings, organ; Ken Kanwisher, bass; Michel Delage & Dave Pontello, drums; Michel Medrano Brindis, percussion; Fred Paci, trumpet; Ed Lister, trumpet/flugelhorn; Brian Asselin & Petr Cancura, tenor saxophone; David Renaud, saxophones.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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