CD Review: Kim Cypher, Catching Moments

UK saxophonist, vocalist and composer Kim Cypher’s 3rd album, Catching Moments is a joyous celebration of the beautiful moments in life. 12 captivating tracks showcasing Kim’s extraordinary talents, not only as a saxophonist and vocalist, but as a composer.

Kim’s debut album released in 2016 Make Believe was the beginning of her inspirational journey, followed by Love Kim X in 2019 and now she adds Catching Moments to her brilliant catalogue. With an exciting range of styles and emotions, she has quite the line up including special guests Liane Carroll, Ray Gelato, Antonio Forcione and Ashley Slater as well as her long standing guitarist Chris Cobbson, drummer Mike Cypher and a whole range of fantastic musicians.

Kim has an incredible community of supporters across the UK, who like Kim, share in the love and power of music as a tool for enjoying life and marking special moments. Her work within this community – raising money for charity through multiple initiatives, platforming and supporting independent organisations and venues – is one of the many reasons she is often referred to as the UK’s most loved saxophonist. The other reason is of course, Kim’s music. Her passion and love for ensuring people have a good time is felt in abundance in this new album.

Described as an album that celebrates ‘uniqueness, and catching moments with others who devote their lives to a brighter tomorrow for the arts #brightertomorrowforthearts’ it is full of energy and positivity and most of all, absolute joy. Opening with a sexy, fun Latin groove ‘Uniquely the Same’ featuring Ashley Slater and Antonio Forcione, Kim sets the scene, embracing individuality and uniqueness. ‘Everyone is crazy, totally unique, everyone is normal, everyone’s a freak’.

In complete contrast, the 2^nd track is Kim’s version of Abdullah Ibrahim ‘Water from an Ancient Well’ one of two covers on the album. This track is truly stunning and showcases Kim’s expertise in drawing audiences in with raw emotion. Kim’s four-year journey in making this album, was not always full of fun, and the vulnerability she shares with us on this album is brave and inspired and demonstrates her true artistry. ‘Where Time Goes’ a song written on the anniversary of her father’s passing is tender, haunting and beautiful. With only vocals, saxophone and guitar, the simplicity of the instrumentation exquisitely supports the emotion. Stunning.

But fun, energy and positivity are present on this album in abundance. The two tracks with Ray Gelato ‘Together’ and the wonderful ‘I’m in the Mood to Wish Upon a Star’ have a fantastic vintage jazz feel about them and the chemistry between Kim and Ray is palpable. Mike Cypher goes to town with some brilliant high energy percussion in ‘Tiempos Locos (Crazy Times Dance Remix)’ and the final track on the album dedicated to Kim’s love of rabbits ‘Bertie, Bertie, Bertie’ has us all wanting to hop around, enjoying the moment and living life to the full.

Catching Moments is an album to be treasured and it is hard to believe it is only Kim’s third album. This new collection of material demonstrates her masterful ability as a composer and musician to share the journey of life and the importance of reflecting and treasuring those moments. Highly recommend.

Buy Catching Moments

Kim Cypher website

Album cover photo by Monika S Jakubowska

Main image by Ron Milsom

Recorded, mixed & mastered at JJLV Audio Production by Juanjo Lopez Vidal | Produced by Kim & Mike Cypher |Mean Reedz Records

Released November 22, 2024

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