Music Review: Sylvia Bennett – ‘For You’

Vocalists like Sylvia Bennett don’t come along often but when they do, they draw audiences into the song, listening for the subtle nuances of the melody and the gentle manner in which she delivers the lyrics. Soft and supple, Bennett’s vocals wrap around the words, cradling them and caressing them as though the lyrics were precious gems. Her latest release, For You from Out of Sight Music, is produced by Hal S. Batt and fuses modern jazz idioms with electro-pop ruffles.

Simmering electro-pop trimmings fringe the classic jazz tune “Fly Me to the Moon,” giving the track a club vibe. Bennett’s background is in jazz but she also dabbles in Latin rhythms and electro-pop soundscapes on her recording. The samba beats in the undertow of the title track produce a festive mood, adding texture and liveliness. Bennett modulates her vocals to mesh with the jovial atmosphere, though the delicate features of her vocals seem made for torchlight melodies and bluesy ballads. Her cover of the bluesy ballad “Make Someone Happy” is shrouded in electro-pop trimmings.

The glistening synths propagate dewy cascades along “Glad to Know” and buff a new wave finish in “Smile (Chill Version).” Bennett’s vocals are a natural fit for tracks with modern pop traction. She shows signs of honing her vocal chops on jazz standards but has adapted smoothly to the electro-pop stylizing of contemporary pop arrangements. The electro-pop swirls of “Two Hearts One Soul (feat. Peter Ferencz)” are intertwined in orchestral strings, revamping this novelty number for nightclub settings. The upbeat propulsion of “Loving You” is tailored with club beats and electro-pop frills that morph into the soothing strokes of “Look of Love,” exhibiting a soul-pop vibrancy reminiscent of Roberta Flack.

Based in Miami, Sylvia Bennett is a connoisseur of fine jazz and a contemporary of electro-pop fusion. Laden in flowery cascades and upbeat grooves, Bennett’s recording has the charm of ’80s new wave with a modern pop flare.

Tracklisting:

“For You,” “Stay with Me,” “Two Hearts One Soul (feat. Peter Ferencz),” “I Never Thought,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Smile (Lounge Version),” “Loving You,” “Look of Love,” “Make Someone Happy,” “Glad to Know,” “Smile (Chill Version)”