User login

Jasmin Graf & Alfred Kallfass

SABPC's picture

Reviewed by Jade Abbott

 

Certainly the emptiest looking line up consisting of Jasmin Graf on vocals and Alfred Kallfass on bass. The German duo perform a series of covers from Abba to Seal to Phil Collins which take on a whole new funky form.

What fascinated me about this album was the way the bass had to fulfil all other roles –of both the melodic and percussive instruments. Songs are gracefully carried by Jasmin’s flying Voice. At the beginning of a listening, one may feel that the songs are missing something [either a drum beat or a saxophone or something] and truthfully it’s slightly perplexing but one learns to appreciate the openness and freedom that the songs hold.

It’s a wonderful example of how bass can carry the bulk of a song by coupling the low end and top end of the bass. I compare it to the common situation of only an acoustic guitar and a voice. This album says why not replace that guitar with a bass.

My main criticism would be Jasmin’s vocals as I feel they could take a more powerful stance and then would add more to the music.

I particularly like their rendition of Gimme gimme gimme

Overall, if you are looking for something a little different and would like an interesting as well as informing take on the role of bass this is an excellent choice

Alfred Kallfass smallCD.jpg