Pure Imagination

Vox One | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 21, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Primarily A Cappella
• ASIN: B000E6UKZ0
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #182,514 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Pure Imagination

2. Kind Of a 3

3. Improv 1

4. Simple Gifts

5. Improv 2

6. Try

7. Take Me Out to the Ballgame

8. Improv 3

9. Woodstock

10. Leave It to Me (Or Leave Me Alone)

11. Improv 4

12. Aura Lee

13. Improv 5

14. I Wish

15. You Know

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an Impressive Bunch!!, January 11, 2007

By 

Rick Cornell "RC" (Reno, Nv USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pure Imagination (Audio CD)

This album has dumbfounded me like none other. Here's why:

I think I'm more up on obscure vocal jazz artists than most. I've been the sole or one of two reviewers on a large number of c.d.'s. But, I had never heard of Vox One, and found this c.d. quite by accident in a "World Records" catalogue, and bought it on a whim.

What an album! In a business lousy with underrated people, this vocal jazz group just might be #1. They are tres impressive, to say the least!

When you think of a vocal jazz ensemble, you tend to think of a group that sings in a barbershop style, only with more jagged rhythms, not so much emphasis on dominant sevenths, and more lyrical lines with less chord-to-chord crashing.

These 5 singers, trained at and teaching at Berklee, can do that. Witness their gorgeous turn on Newley's title track (from "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"), their prayerful read of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock," or their soulful rockin' version of Stevie Wonder's "I Wish."

But they do so much more. This c.d. is full of true improvisations, mostly ragas or other third world chants. And they do a blues, "Leave It To Me", that sounds as improvised as anything that ever came out on Blue Note.

The highlight to me, though, is their version of "Simple Gifts." Over a Swahilian chant by the men, the women do a jagged version of the melody of this folk song, until all five meet in harmony toward the end of the phrase. The most original version of this song ever, and I'll bet Copland would agree.

The musicianship of these five is simply unparalled. They sound like they've been singing together for 18 years, which they have. Although there are no truly topflight soloists in the group, they have a beautiful, homogenized sound.

If you like vocal jazz at all, you must get this album. This is one of the best of 2006. RC

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, December 31, 2007

By 

F. S. Wood "Bassooning" (Portland, ME USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pure Imagination (Audio CD)

I have a couple other albums from Vox One and have always been impressed. I read a review for another group and the reviewer said this was a must buy. Well I took him at his word and was not disappointed. Especially loved the Improvs between songs. The whole album...very impressive. Also check out the New York Voices if you like vocal jazz.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic CD from one of the best vocal jazz groups on the scene, July 25, 2007

By 

Mrs. Lori J. Fredrics "catface1965" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pure Imagination (Audio CD)

I very highly recommend this album to anyone loves vocal jazz. My singing students are always blown away when I play selections for them. While the artistic level achieved by this group is a bit intimidating at first it ends up being quite inspiring.

The arrangements are tasty, the production is astounding and the performances are very fine. The improvisations explore the possibilities of the human voice in a really creative way.

When Vox One breaths and phrases together they seem to act as a single instrument as in the case of a world class string quartet. It is truly a joy to experience.

Even though I consider myself a very sophisticated musician, I must admit that my favourite track is Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" which is SO much funky fun. I did not think it was possible for anyone to ever cover a Stevie Wonder song to my liking but Vox One certainly has turned me on with this one. I bet that Stevie would dig/ did dig hearing this vocal version of his hit .