Memory (Paloma Dineli Chesky)[REFERENCE GOLD CD]
The Most Astoundingly Natural Vocal Sound We've Ever Captured Before its official release, Memory was named "CD of the Month" in Audio/Stereophile Germany. And once you hear it, you’ll understand why. This isn’t just another vocal album—it’s a sonic experience. Recorded entirely with ribbon microphones and tube mic preamps, Memory offers what may be the most astoundingly natural vocal sound we’ve ever captured. There’s no digital glaze, no overproduction—just pure, intimate tone. For audiophiles in search of truth in timbre, this is the album that delivers. With an all-analog front-end, lush harmonic depth, real dynamics, deep stereo imaging, and a vocal presence so lifelike it practically breathes beside you, Memory is a high-fidelity triumph, and at the center of it all is a young artist with the soul of a seasoned master. Memory is the highly anticipated follow-up to Paloma Chesky’s acclaimed Soul on Soul—an album that critics and listeners alike raved about for its emotional depth and originality. Now, with Memory, Paloma takes that promise even further, expanding her sonic palette and creative vision. As a young singer, Paloma Chesky is already headlining iconic New York venues like Birdland, City Winery, DROM, and The Mercury Lounge. Her performances are emotionally gripping and musically refined, a rare combination in any era. Backed by a dynamic young band—Michael Hilgendorf on guitar and musical direction, Maxwell Barnes on tenor sax, Chris Ramirez on bass, and Danno Peterson on drums—Paloma reimagines both jazz standards and her own original material with stunning maturity and effortless cool. This new release blends the emotional resonance of classic jazz with the lyricism of pop and the sensual rhythm of Brazilian music. Her reimagined originals—“Green,” “Memory,” “Diamond,” “Sober Now”—already sound like standards in the making. Her rendition of Jobim’s Corcovado, sung in beautifully fluent Portuguese, is a poignant tribute to her Brazilian-American heritage and an example of her ability to move between styles and languages with grace. In an age of compressed playlists and artificial polish, Memory is a breath of fresh air—a work of honesty, beauty, and soul. This is not background music. This is music that demands—and rewards—deep listening. The album features nine tracks: a breathtaking take on Gershwin’s “Summertime,” followed by Paloma’s original songs “Green,” “Baby Face,” “Memory,” and “Sober Now.” The set also includes her haunting renditions of Corcovado and “House of the Rising Sun,” and closes with two more originals, “Diamond” and “When the Moon’s Away.” Memory is not just the next step in Paloma Chesky’s journey—it’s a bold declaration of artistry, and a glimpse into the thrilling future of vocal jazz.