The breathtakingly beautiful night of music and memories at Milano Jazz Club, which many will remember, is actually a culmination of two years of hard work, relentless work ethic, and unbridled passion from Soulcare, a Barcelona-based jazz band fronted by Yann Gaslain, the lead singer and producer, and Rodrigo Pa-Lhen, the music producer and pianist.
The album offers 51 minutes and 5 seconds of what can be described as a cathartic and visceral listening experience. I just wish I was there to witness this band live as they pour their hearts and souls out to deliver these unforgettable performances.
The live performance consists of 12 tracks that cover a plethora of different topics, including love, loss, heartbreak, and family. The live performance is now available for streaming on all major digital platforms, enabling those who couldn’t attend the live performance to experience it.
I’ve sampled a few tracks from the live performance to give you a glimpse of what to expect from this exceptional masterclass in eclectic jazz composition. Prepare yourself to be uplifted, healed, soothed, and entertained thoroughly.
The opening track “Your Song” starts off with a seamless blend of carefully played drums, striking piano tones, stunning guitar, and bass that set the tone for the track before lead vocalist Gaslain breathes life into the lyrical narrative with his warm and powerful voice.
An undeniable ballad, this tune is more than guaranteed to gratify you emotionally. Apart from the relatable nature of the lyrics, I want to highlight the instrumental dexterity unleashed here with such impeccable guitar picking and outstanding keyboard playing by Estoppey. I also love the lighthearted, lyrical approach Gaslain adopts as the track progresses.
“Fly Me to the Moon” is another romantic-fueled masterpiece from this live performance. The mellow piano and Gaslain’s raw voice lay the foundation before the drums and bass kick in. The track gains depth from the inclusion of the trumpet, which adds an adrenaline-rushing element and a level of sonic elegance to this captivating performance.
Soulcare then taps into a timeless and catchy sound through that beautiful cover of Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” which features a beautiful blend of the piano and the cello, giving it a cinematic feel before the lead vocalist’s gracious and emotion-drenched voice leads a listener on.
Gaslain’s voice powerfully projects the emotions of regret, and the backing vocal harmonies enhance the emotional resonance.
“Étoile Filante” is another timeless and catchy Spanish masterpiece that starts off with that crash cymbal hit, then the hypnotic piano melody, followed closely by the lead singer’s golden voice that blends seamlessly with the cymbals and piano to exude such a soul-drenching performance that is made more cathartic following the addition of the cello and the stunning trumpet that blends graciously with the bass, drums, and piano.
This tune directly translates to ‘shooting star’ and really sees Soulcare give their hearts and souls out for one memorable performance.
The dulcet piano in “The Long and Winding Road,” which is also the backbone of the melody, sets the tone and offers solid support for the lead vocalist’s voice to flourish. You can feel the raw emotional feelings that inspired this tune through Gaslain’s voice as he draws the listener in and gets them heavily invested from start to finish.
The stripped-back rhythm and melody allow for the somewhat melancholic lyrics and Gaslain’s powerful voice to flourish.
“Live at Milano Jazz Club” is now available for streaming on all the popular digital platforms, including a live recorded video that is available on the Soulcare YouTube channel.