Rachel Mazer, Open Heart Review
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Rachel Mazer is a talented San Francisco native who emotes her creativity as a composer, lyricist, and multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, bass and guitar). Mazer is also bi-coastal, working in both the LA and Michigan music scenes. She can be heard playing saxophone at select Vulfpeck shows or during their off-the-wall album pre-order telethons, on the new Woman Believer (Christine Hucal – ‘Back Pocket’) and Jacob Jeffries record, as a bass player with May Erlewine and Anna Ash’s last tour, and as a background singer on Joey Dosik’s latest record. Mazer is now stepping out front to let everyone hear her artistry as a solo artist. Mazer’s energy and passion encouraged a fundraising effort that accumulated more than $20,000 on Kickstarter to make her debut record, How Do We Get By, which is due out in February of 2019. Her first single, a retro pop styled track called, “Is It So Wrong,” was released at the beginning of November. Mazer is now releasing her second single, “’Open Heart.” With an undercurrent of rock, R&B and neo-soul, Mazer’s vocals exude a soulful power that is agile and energetic. That’s the short of it!
Positives:
“Open Heart” has a wonderful play of activity and space within the form. Mazer’s songwriting is always putting fresh elements for our ears to bite into, that makes for a scrumptious meal for the ears.
Bottom Line:
Rachel Mazer is bringing all of her many talents to her new single, “Open Heart.” With positive lyrics and a solid band supporting her soulful vocals, Mazer pens a track that is a winner. The track features a hip riff that has distorted guitar and her warm saxophone stirring the energy and the tune is constructed to allow different musical settings for Mazer’s vocals. Full vocal harmonies and horn parts fill in spaces and add interest. A heavy back beat R&B feel from the rhythm section supports the well-produced and mixed music. The result is Mazer takes us on a joy ride of musical sounds with her vocals in a rich setting that lets her shine. The instrumental interlude has an exotic melodic overtone that adds even more mystery to the sexy smoldering sound of “Open Heart.” Mazer is a confident, poised and highly melodious artist that is now stepping out as a front person. The culmination of her experiences offers the listener a seasoned sound to be savored.