Another album review, another vocalist, this time in the shape of Washington D.C. singer-songwriter Heidi Martin and her album Attunement. Having completed two years of research at Rutgers University (2023-2024) on the Estate of American jazz vocalist, songwriter, actress and civil rights activist Abbey Lincoln, Heidi Martin was subsequently awarded the 2024 Berger-Carter Berger Fellowship from Rutgers Dana Library Jazz Studies Department.
During this time, Heidi reached out to bassist Michael Bowie and pianist Mark Cary, who both played with Abbey Lincoln for over a decade. She did so to see if they could share stories while she was studying Abbey’s journals in chronological order. Inspired by their recollections, the in depth research of Abbey’s personal journals, and her own alignment with Abbey’s philosophy and spirit, Heidi began composing a poetic tribute beyond the traditional tributes to monuments in the music.
She wondered, could compositions be channelled through this energy as a tribute to Abbey Lincoln, but not in the traditional sense of “tribute album”? As songs were emerging, Heidi brought them to Michael Bowie who became her Musical Director, both working on them for several months, eventually resulting in the studio recording that is Attunement.
When I am asked to review an album I usually play it through my hi-fi while doing something else in the room to hear if anything catches my attention; a particular melody, a well played solo, a strong bass line etc. With Attunement it was the voice of Heidi Martin that caught my attention … and did so from the outset. From there I moved to the headphones and so much more opened up to me!
On the opening track, There Is A Certain Point, her vocal soars over a simple piano melody. Her diction, phrasing, and timing are spot on and I felt that she was fully engaged and believed in what she was singing. The musical accompaniment is simple and subtle where required but not without drama, tension and release.
Only the opening track and track seven feature Heidi with her backing trio. Congresswoman Maxine Waters highlights how well Heidi uses her vocal range and credit must go to pianist Marc Cary for helping making this tune a potential standout number. Drummer Eric Kennedy introduces How Convinced I Was, and I enjoyed his playing throughout this jazziest of pieces – great bass lines from Michael Bowie and thoroughly engaging sax sounds from Elijah Easton.
Take Your Time is the track I keep returning to. I like how it opens with plenty of space to allow the words to percolate before the shortest of breaks ends and the tune ebbs and flows as it progresses. Subtle sax backing plays under Heidi’s vocals before Marc Cary takes over with absorbing piano lines backed by terrific support from the bass and drums – then the sax kicks back in and we are treated to a wonderful example of group playing that simply delivers. I Am His Nature is the first opportunity to hear Elijah Bailey Gould on guitar and he does not disappoint! Sumptuous bass lines from Michael Bowie against the additional tonal colouring provided by the guitar was a delight to listen to. Being Lifted is a jaunty, uplifting number that finishes off this fine album in style.
Most albums deserve to be listened to multiple times in order to get inside the sound, Attunement is no different and I was rewarded with each subsequent listen through. I found this to be a powerful, absorbing, and engaging release, a real pleasure to review, and my headphones standby to be, once again, enthralled by the voice of Heidi Martin and the music of those who play alongside her.
Attunement is due to be released 26th May 2026.
Tracklist: 01 – There Is A Certain Point; 02 – Render Me Empty; 03 – Take Your Time: 04 – I Am His Nature; 05 – Every Thought In My Heart; 06 – How Convinced I Was; 07 – Congresswoman Maxine Waters; 08 – Being Lifted.
Musicians: Heidi Martin (vocals), Michael Bowie (bass), Marc Cary (piano), Eric Kennedy (drums), Elijah Easton (tenor sax tracks 2, 3 & 6), Elijah Bailey Gould (guitar tracks 4, 5, & 8).
SimplyJazzTalk 