Hinda Hoffman Meets Soul Message People Review

Hinda Hoffman is a Chicago-based vocalist who did not start singing professionally until she was nearly forty. However, once Hoffman conquered her ‘stage fright,’ she released multiple albums focused on her relaxed swinging style of the standards. Soul Message is an ensemble comprising Chris Foreman on Hammond organ, Greg Ward on saxophones, Lee Rothenberg on guitar, and Greg Rockingham on drums.

[section label=”About the Album”]

About the Album

Hoffman and Soul Message bring us a set of standards with interesting arrangements on their album titled People. The recording quality is good, and each member’s performance is easily identifiable and hearable. The flow of the selections makes for a varied set of styles and tempos to keep your interest while the album plays. However, Soul Message has chemistry together that Hoffman does not seem to vibe within their energy or rhythm.

[section label=”Our Favorite Tracks”]

Our Favorite Tracks

“How Insensitive” is given an exciting feel. The quartet builds the groove, but Hoffman never settles into the groove. Her tone is warm and pleasant, there is nothing wrong with her singing, but the two never seem to mesh. Rothenberg’s guitar solo is soulful, and there is a marked difference in groove and energy between when Hoffman is singing and when the quartet is playing instrumentally.

“Old Devil Moon” has another fascinating arrangement, with each phrasing getting a new feel and band hits. Hoffman’s singing is pleasant but does not fit the aura of the Soul Message. Ward’s soloing is excellent, and when you hear the arrangement with a saxophone fronting the ensemble, it all makes sense. Again, these arrangements are geared toward an instrumental sound. The outro is a high moment and shows Hoffman’s excellent playful, swinging style as a vocalist.

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In Conclusion

People is a case of great ideas, but the two parts make a small sum in practice. Hoffman is a relaxed swinging vocalist, and Soul Message has a unique band chemistry. If Hoffman was a regular part of the ensemble, this might work better, but the album sounds as if Hoffman is just a guest and never gels with the core band.