Giovanni Blue, Moments Review

John Geel is a Netherlands based multi-instrumentalist that began playing the guitar and piano at sixteen. His palette soon grew to include the saxophone, flute, and cello. The composer and multi-instrumentalist started the Precious Time Project, which was a collaboration with his friends: John Havermans (keys), Reno de Bruin (drums), and Henk Bol (bass and guitar); they recorded two albums If The Gods Knew and Precious Time. In 2018, he started using his alter-ego called Geel to create new music with his solo project called Giovanni Blue. Geel produced and provided all compositions and instruments and released an album called Time Will Tell, which featured several guest artists on vocals. This multi-talented artist uses his Giovanni Blue project to team up with two female singers for two separate albums. Moments features NINA’s vocal talents and is set for release in January 2021. The second album features the US vocalist Sarah Schoendienst and is set for release in Spring 2021. Now, Giovanni Blue releases the first album, Moments.

Bottom Line: Moments is fourteen tracks with Geel producing, composing, and playing all the instruments, with NINA providing the gorgeous vocals. “Out On The Moon.” began with Geel sitting at the piano to record a melody, and after playing it for NINA, she worked her magic with the lyrics and turned it into a heartfelt storyline. The lyrics highlight the feeling of disconnection that can occur between family and friends throughout this time. The song builds on the experience of battling technology throughout the pandemic and explores the sense that each of us is on our own moon – connected – but so far from the real enjoyment of friends and family. With a relaxed groove and ethereal saxophone, “Out On The Moon” builds to NINA’s warm sensual vocal timbre. The six-eight feel keeps the song form moving forward as various instruments float in to fill the space. The verse has emotional variations and beautiful melody ornaments by NINA. Geel’s playing and production are spot-on and add richness to each phrase. The bridge is a powerful moment as the intensity is released for the verse and build to the cadential figure. “Horizon” has swirling reverb and a catchy melody line. “Step into the Wild” has a hip funky groove and NINA singing throughout her range with instants of excellent falsetto. Overall, Moments visits multiple styles and sounds, the drums could be fuller in the productions, but the songs still have catchy melodies and exciting forms. NINA is a powerful singer, and the music that surrounds her is wonderfully played and conceived. That’s the short of it!

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