Ken Hymes - Inside Voice (2015)

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Ken Hymes - Inside Voice (2015)

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Inside Voice brings small combo swing into the 21st century. The lyrical forms, the topics, and the vocal approach reflect the evolution of songwriting and performance since the 50s, while making full use of the harmonic and instrumental richness of the late swing era. The title reflects the layers of meaning found within - the voice of the heart; the use of quiet dynamics, instead of always-in-your-face hyper compressed techniques; the voice itself, drawing the listener in to reflection on the things that matter in life.

The album is the result of collaboration between the singer-songwriter Ken Hymes, whose past releases have been of a more pop-rock character, and a number of talented and creative players. Producer Adam Goldman provided the brass and saxophones, while Leisl Patton (previously heard on the Grammy-contending album Dialogues and Entertainments) provided the clarinets and also bass. Multi-instrumentalist Deloy Moore laid down some lovely mandolin and dobro, while Justin Thomas added a lush vintage electric guitar sound to a couple of tracks.

Inside Voice makes the case that the harmonic complexity and lyrical craft of small combo swing music does not preclude the vocal directness and narrative complexity of more recent forms of pop music. On this project, Hymes and his collaborators have delivered something old and new… an inside voice that deserves to get out.