LUQMAN HAMZA - W - THIS VOICE *180G*

With a sensual and seductive voice right out of the '40s or '50s, Luqman Hamza (pronounced Luke-mahn Hahm-za) is a real discovery, a vocalist of exceptional pedigree and talent (a former Ink Spot) who inhabits a soulful middle ground that seems to straddle the sounds of Nat King Cole and JohnnyHartman.

Previously known as Larry Cummings, Luqman Hamza, an ex-Decca and Argo recording artist in the Fifties both as a solo artist and with The Five Aces, is now one of the brightest stars of the Kansas City scene who performs regularly to enthusiastic and sold out audiences throughout the Midwest.

'With This Voice is a sterling effort, one that should cause even the most jaded of audiophiles to jump out of that well-worn listening chair and kick up his heels in joy.' - Soundstage.com

This latest release from Groove Note Records was recorded by Luqman Hamza at Airborne Audio in Kansas City and features a fine band of well known supporting musicians from the area inc. Sonny Kenner on guitar and Kim Park (ex-Stan Kenton) on alto and flute. Produced by Joe Harley (Audioquest, Telarc, Enya, ECM) and engineered by Mike Ross, this will be another standout vocal recording from Groove Note.

The album features an eclectic and varied selection of standards and popular ballads, ranging from Smoke Gets In Your Eyes and Blue Moon through Laura and My Funny Valentine to the stirring rendition of the less well known With These Hands. On With This Voice Luqman Hamza delivers a seamless performance with an unforgettable mix of richness and emotion, utilising a winning combination of trio, quartet and quintet arrangements that will leave many listeners clamouring for more.

The album was recorded on 1/2 inch BASF900 analogue tape running at 30 ips as well as on DSD hard disk recording machine courtesy of Sony Inc. The album will be mastered by Bernie Grundman using DSD processors supplied by Sony/Phillips at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.

  1.    Born to Be Blue 
  2.    Feeling Good 
  3.    My One and Only Love 
  4.    Never Let Me Go 
  5.    Weaver of Dreams 
  6.    Until The Real Thing Comes Along 
  7.    Blue Moon 
  8.    My Funny Valentine 
  9.    Don't Get Around Much Anymore 
  10.    Laura 
  11.    What Does It Take 
  12.    Just One Of Those Things 
  13.    With These Hands 
  14.    Smoke Gets In Your Eyes