Hannah K?pf is not Norah Jones. But the musical cosmos that the Cologne singer / songwriter has created on her fourth album Cinnamon does not have to hide in comparison to the singer from the other side of the Atlantic. Hannah K?pf is interpreting Folk, New Orleans Soul, Americana, Jazz and Southern Country in such a natural way, as if she had never listened to anything else as a child than to these deeply American genres. Melancholy is gladly emphasized, a wistfulness that lies in these subtle texts. The brilliant vocals of Hannah K?pf, her ability to effortlessly cross genre boundaries with her voice. Everything is in the right place. But it is equally remarkable how dynamic, forceful and soulful these songs are. In short - with a level of skill rarely heard in bands with such a limited production budget. As early as 2015, K?pf started recording with her partner Tim Dudek in his own studio. Dudek, a trained drummer who tours with jazz aces like Axel Fischbacher as well as with his own pop band Luciel, composed the music and was responsible for production, recording and mixing. In addition to Joni-Mitchell-inspired ballads such as Golden Leaves and the theme song, the duo K?pf / Dudek has composed some noteworthy up-tempo songs: There When You Need Me with the finest soul, New Orleans style - hand claps, swinging piano and triumphantly bluesy wind arrangements, which come from the bigband-experienced Dietmar Mensinger (Tom Gaebel). Ray Charles sends his regards. The optimistic Paper Boat ramping up from an introverted blues to a gospelish, swaying dance song. Velvet Sky ends the album intimately, only orchestrated with the virtuously plucked guitar by Busch and Dudek. For the first time, I am completely happy with an album. Everything fits, with every song. All killer, no filler - the studied jazz singer Hannah K?pf has created her opus Magnum Americana.
