Naama - "Oh! You Crazy Moon"
(From Where Flamingos Fly, La Reserve, 2023)
New York City (by way of Be’er Sheva, Israel)-based vocalist Naama released her debut recording, Dearly Beloved (Cellar Music) in 2020, just ahead of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While critically well received, Dearly Beloved did not receive the attention it would have had live performances been possible. Undaunted, Naama spent her time productively, programming and recording a new project and engineering a novel release schedule for If I Knew Then (Sassy's Back In Town, 2022) with the piano trio of pianist Ben Paterson, bassist Neal Miner, and drummer Evan Sherman.
Then, Naama strategically decided to release five of the seven selections as singles monthly throughout the summer and fall of 2022 with the full EP being made available that November. This paid off so well that the singer is using the same paradigm leading up to the release of her follow-up recording, Where Flamingos Fly. Beginning in February, Naama will release, approximately monthly, six selections from Flamingos, with the full release occurring July 28, 2023. The singer's first release is a traditional pop song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, "Oh! You Crazy Moon." For her most recent recordings, Naama has traded her standard piano trio for one replacing drums with a vibraphone helmed by Steve Nelson who is joined by other NYC musical royalty: pianist Bruce Barth and bassist Dave Baron.
Between the release of If I Knew Then and Where Flamingos Fly, Naama's vocals have developed a conviction and attitude only hinted at in her earlier recordings. Her performance of "Oh! You Crazy Mood" is confidently conversational in the best Frank Sinatra manner. The singer sounds relaxed and well-tuned into her support who is laid back in a swinging, strolling way. Vibraphonist Nelson adds just the right amount of "cool" to the production, his solo goosed by Baron walking bass, while Barth further proves what a superb accompanist he is. If "Oh! You Crazy Moon" is any indication, it will be a fun spring and early summer watching Naama bloom.