“An album of soft and romantic moods . . . rich atmospheres . . . Heavy mellow music”
George W. Harris, JazzWeekly.com
“Kathy Sanborn is a composer, lyricist, vocalist and keyboardist. Best of all, she can sing. Her new album opens with an original track dedicated to trumpeter Uan Rasey, so you know from the start the recording is going to be smart. All of the music is by Kathy, and she's joined by trumpeter Wayne Ricci. It's easily the summer's most sultry album with a jazzy humidity and caressing restraint.”
Marc Myers, JazzWax.com
"This elegantly crafted, devotedly sculptured new recording opens on the low-slung, sultry finger-snapper title track ‘Romance Language’ (a tribute to the masterful studio trumpeter Uan Rasey) and then we get the heartfelt ‘Never Blue,’ the all-embracing ‘Sonrisa,’ and both the impassioned ‘Cambios’ and the rhythmically delightful ‘Si Bon (So Good).’
The daughter of an amateur saxophonist next brings us the flirtatious ‘Después de las Lágrimas’ which is in turn backed seamlessly by the melodiously free-flowing ‘El Viaje,’ an aching yearn that threads throughout the dulcet ‘Romance Language (Homage to a Trumpeter),’ the set rounding out on the dutifully curated ‘Otro,’ closing on the sheer elegance of ‘El Jardín de la Vida.’"
Anne Carlini, Exclusive Magazine
“Sensuous tone . . . soul-stirring . . . enchanting vocals hit your eardrums and they are smooth as butter. This is a jazz record that you will want to check out and add to your playlist NOW!”
Skopemag.com
“Sanborn has been described as an ‘award-winning sultry jazz singer.’ The description is apt, for this slow-to-medium-tempo recording is full of good things. Sanborn writes and plays keyboards, and she mixed and produced this recording, which is actually her ninth release. The romance is a play on words, of course, since she records in Spanish, French and even a bit of Italian. All in all, very impressive.”
All About Jazz
“Expressive, elegant . . . A masterpiece.”
Mundoaseptico.com
"Deserves a Grammy . . . "
Jean-Pierre Schricke, Highlands Magazine
"Excellent album . . . Brilliant return of Kathy Sanborn."
No Solo Smooth Jazz
"Focuses on dreamy moods . . . musical musings . . . With Ricci's muted horn, Sanborn's tone is closely akin, melding well on 'Always You' and trading off as she gives scat lines on the sepia toned 'Kissed (Shoobop Shoobop).'
Jazz Weekly
“I was first introduced to Kathy’s excellent jazz vocal work when I reviewed her in issue # 161… she got really high marks from me in that review, & this new release is even better (in a different sort of way).
Just listen to the laid-back approach she takes on the opener, “Another Sultry Night“… it doesn’t hurt that she has some superb guitar lines from Vito Gregoli supporting her, but the tune is a winner all the way around, and you’ll find yourself (as did I) playing it over & over again! Her ability to “sing love into life” through her lyrical/musical talent is a skill many desire, but few artists have at this level.
Those who read my reviews frequently will know that I believe originals penned by the musician carry more weight, and you’ll hear why as you listen to the sultry groove she establishes on the 4:33 “Reflections in the Rain“… if you don’t get “pictures” from the way she paints with her words, you need to get an ear examination… just kidding, but this is among the best jazz vocals I’ve heard (yet) in 2017.
It is Kathy’s total talent and superb pacing, along with the wonderful violin work from Rocio Marron, that made it an easy choice for my personal favorite of the ten songs offered up for your listening pleasure… on “Guiding Light“, she will reach the hearts of listeners around the globe, wrapping them into the comfort zone she performs in. A truly impressive jazz vocal album that gets my MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED."
Rotcod Zzaj
“Even before putting this on the player one can’t help but be impressed by the lushness of the presentation. This digipak contains a lot of information about Kathy and her producer Keerthy Narayanan (who also is her arranger), commentary by multi-Grammy & Latin Grammy award winner Kabir Sehgal, photos and information on all the musicians involved, and a booklet containing all the lyrics. One gets the impression that this is a release of quality, and that is only reinforced as the music comes out of the speakers. This is Kathy’s eighth album, and unlike many other artists she isn’t revisiting songs from times gone by, but instead is presenting an album of originals, all her own work.
This is cool jazz, where the mood is reflective and cozy, where each note and nuance has an important part to play and where the vocals are never forced and at times are almost languorous. There is a decadent feeling to the album, a richness and quality, and one can just drift away on her wonderful voice, with a production that provides space yet also brings everything together. Delicate yet powerful, Kathy’s love songs bring together different threads and strands to create a wonderful whole.”
Kev Rowland
