Ksenia Parkhatskaya: “Colours” (2021) CD Review

Ksenia Parkhatskaya is a vocalist and songwriter, as well as dancer and choreographer. In 2019, she and her husband, bassist David Duffy, formed K Quintet and released Something Else, which featured a mix of classic material and original compositions. Now she is releasing what in name is a solo album, though it features most of the same musicians from the K Quintet album. Unlike that earlier album, however, this one features mostly original material, written by Ksenia Parkhatskaya and David Duffy. The band backing her is made up of David Duffy on bass, Anton Jarl on drums, Marc Martin on piano and organ, Gabriel Amargant on saxophone and clarinet, Gilles Estoppey on piano and organ, and Carlos Sarduy Dimet on trumpet, along with some guests on certain tracks.

The album opens with “For Saturdays,” which begins rather gently with some beautiful vocal work, backed by piano. “When we are walking in the park/Sunlight kisses our cheeks/And I am looking in your eyes/I see doubt and fear.” She then urges us to leave our fears and join her. And at that moment, nearly a minute in, the other musicians come in. It is like they have accepted the call to join her, and thus so have we. There is a soothing, kind of magical, dreamlike vibe to this song at moments. Then halfway through, it takes on a delicious groove, as the track enters an instrumental section. Ah yes, this track will help us leave our doubts and fears behind as we enter the world of this music. Ksenia Parkhatskaya is so good at establishing a strong mood and atmosphere, as she proves in “In My Room,” which follows and is beautifully haunting. “In the middle of this madness/Would you come and save my soul.”

Ksenia Parkhatskaya then turns in an incredibly sexy vocal performance on “How Long,” one of those gorgeous late-night gems with a timeless vibe. This track features some wonderful work on piano, and paints a charming and warm scene of a connection. It is delightful and touching. The world of this song is the world we want to live in, and this track is one of my personal favorites. That’s followed by a cover of “Close Your Eyes,” written by Bernice Petkere. This is a beautiful track, sounding like  a romantic lullaby for adults as it begins. “Close your eyes/When you open them, dear, I’ll be near, by your side.” And then the song kicks in. I love that fantastic trumpet work, so instrumental in creating the mood of this piece and its changes in mood. This track also features Alan Sousa on percussion and Jake Klamburg on drums, and it is another of my personal favorites, taking us on a great ride. Toward the end, we return to that gentle, soothing place. Then “Fear” takes us immediately to a darker place. This is a compelling and intriguing track, with some excellent percussion and an impressive vocal performance. “Fear, terrifying fear/To be misinterpreted with what you did or said/Twisting your history.” This is a song for our times, for our world of loneliness, lies, gun violence, mass stupidity, ignorance, and of course the pandemic. This song is hauntingly beautiful in its own way, and at times it digs into you, like a blade appearing out of the darkness. Ferran Donatelli is on guitar, and Keelan Kenny is on lap steel and baritone guitar.

“Behind My Eyes” opens with the question, “Is there a reason why I was dropped in this vessel?” That is something most of us wonder from time to time. It’s a song about identify and choices, and it features some wonderful work on piano. Carlos Sarduy Dimet returns to deliver some powerful and moving work on trumpet toward the end. Then “Standing In The Distance” is a pretty song featuring some really nice work on bass. “Waiting, I am waiting, waiting here for you/Far off in the distance I’m waving at you.” This line also stands out for me: “The wind is carrying your name.” So lovely. That’s followed by “Rose And Blue,” which has a magical quality from its opening moments. “Fly to the moon/I’ll go fly to the moon/I can see the sky is rose and blue/Far from the gloom.” It features more wonderful work on trumpet. The album concludes with “Green Eyes,” a cheerful-sounding number to help raise our spirits. “Look at those green eyes/Look at that bright smile/You, you simply bring that light in me.” Hugh Dillion adds some great touches on guitar, and I love that work on saxophone. There is also a nice lead on organ. “When you are by my side/These days are better than my dream.”

CD Track List

1. For Saturdays
2. In My Room
3. How Long
4. Close Your Eyes
5. Fear
6. Behind My Eyes
7. Standing In The Distance
8. Rose and Blue
9. Green Eyes

Colours was released on October 3, 2021.