Malin Schell – Encantos da Floresta (Album Review)

Today’s review features Malin Schell’s new album “Encantos da Floresta.”

Malin Schell was born in Switzerland in 1990 and now lives in Brazil. Malinhas been singing and playing the cello, guitar, piano and various percussion instruments since childhood. She studied music & movement, as well as jazz singing, at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts under the guidance of Lauren Newton. She eventually obtained a master’s degree in vocal improvisation at the Basel Music Academy, studying under Fred Frith and Lisette Spinnler. Her travels around the world influence her musical work. She listens to the voices of different cultures and traditions, which serve as a source of inspiration for her music and open doors to new worlds of sound, bridging between people, cultures, and hearts.

So let’s have a listen …

From the first notes of the first song on this album, I immediately knew the rating was going to be outstanding. The album is very soothing.

I like how the second song incorporates bird sounds at the beginning and end. I love the arpeggiated acoustic guitar, the cello and strings, the harp picking, the flutes, and the hand drum percussion throughout the album. To top it off, the lead female vocalist has an excellent Spanish voice with excellent pitch control. I only wish I understood Spanish, so that I could understand the lyrics. But I love the sound of her voice. Very nice.

This album is full of ear candy. I can’t emphasize enough how soothing this album is. I just listened to an ambient noise album, full of weird and annoying sounds. This album is a very pleasant way to recuperate from that bad experience. I am very much enjoying listening to Malin’s work.

I appreciate the song arrangements and structures. I love how she incorporates sophisticated chord changes into her songwriting.

The Source, the third song on the album, starts off with the lead female vocal singing oohs, doos, in a whisper-like voice. The song is in English. Then the vocalist sings, “I am one with the universe. I am one with the source. I sing and pray for love for this world.” I’m really enjoying the lyrics on this song. Very uplifting, like a musical prayer for our world, and for you. Loving the strings in this song, very mellow and relaxing against the arpeggiated guitar or harp, and the message of this song is so dead on. The rhythm of this song has a very bouncy feel. Very enchanting.

I love the complex rhythms and instrumentation on the fourth song. The vocals ebb and flow against the syncopated rhythms, while the melody instruments weave in and out of the mix. I love the flute solo in this song.

The fifth song has a very nice arpeggiated acoustic guitar part and a lovely vocal melody. Very nice rhythms and song arrangement. I like the bass or picked cello that occurs in this song. A very pleasant folk melody here. There is a nice, subdued acoustic guitar solo in the middle of the song.

The sixth song starts with hand drums and a flute-like instrument. The lead female vocal comes in singing a simple, but elegant, melody. Very tribal. The flute solo in this song is massive. Reminds me a little of Jethro Tull. I love the syncopation of all the instruments working together in this song.

The seventh song starts with the sound of a waterfall, and the added texture of a harp playing a waterfall-type riff. The voice is enchanting. The guitar playing is excellent on this song.

The eighth song starts strong with a lead female vocal melody. The songform almost seems Middle-Eastern, particularly the sound of the lead vocals. I’m loving the bass cello and string section in this song. The bowed-string instruments in this song are very captivating.

The ninth song starts with a vocal chant, very reminiscent of tribal music, particularly against the strong hand-drumming. The song has a very catchy vocal riff, which dances above the hand drums, interacting with them, playing off their enchanting rhythms.

The tenth song on the album starts with a slow arpeggiated classical guitar. Soon strings and the vocals join in. A very slow and somber song. The song has a lilting melody and sounds epic against the strings.

The eleventh song kicks off with an arpeggiated classical guitar playing a sublime string part. Malin joins in with her ethereal vocals. Very spiritual. I’m hearing the steady strumming of a harp in the background. A flute takes a lead solo in the middle of the song. Very soothing, which is the theme of this album

The final song on this 12-song album starts with a heavy thumping bass hand drum, with a very breathy flute, and a vocal that matches the slow rhythmic progression of the song. Just floating on top. Loving the female backing vocals in this song. This song is like a spiritual chant of sorts.

 SCORE/Outstanding: The vocal and instrumental performances on this album are top-notch. I can easily see this album being put up for a Grammy Award in the world music category. Even if you don’t understand Spanish, the album is very accessible. I highly encourage you to have a listen to this album, particularly if you need to hear something soothing. Malin Schell has created a masterpiece of self-healing. Well done. Much love, Beth

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