CD review: Threestyle Feat. Magdalena Chovancova & Robert Fertl – Music For The Soul 2022: Video, CD cover

The release of the newest project by Threestyle featuring Magdalena Chovancova & Robert Fertl sent my curiosity meter into action for a few reasons.

However, the more I listened to these fresh interpretations of songs, the less I cared. Chovancova, Fertl, and twin sister and percussionist Gabriela, along with some highly reputable talent, are purely brilliant on the handful of timeless soul treasures that include Smokey Robinson’s Cruisin, the Spinners’ I’ll Be Around, The O’Jays’ Backstabbers, Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly, and the EP’s namesake, Barry White’s Let The Music Play.

Fresh, modern, and superbly produced and arranged, Threestyle delivers simply incredible versions of these songs.

Guiarist/producer Fertl explans that it wasn’t easy to sift through decades of soul classics to honour some of the band’s favourites artists, but songs where guitar and sax were melodically complementary were chosen. Chovancova explains how the process was truly an organic one. “We wanted to record with live instruments, no programming, just pure playing”, she says.

Percussion plays a major role in the recording and production of these hand chosen classics, and Gabriela utilized the Rototom drum, a rotatable instrument that can be tuned while playing, and
with the added dimension of cowbells, tambourine, conga and bongo rhythm where chosen. I have heard, and played many tribute versions of the tracks listed on the EP, and I can say without reservation that if you are not listening to the originals, these may be the finest instrumental renditions of them you may enjoy, and the added choral backing vocals of Fertl and Chovancova are simply the spice on the already delectable work.

Full complements go out to the guesting talent on the project, including guitarist Steve Laury (Fattburger), drummer Rayford Griffin (George Duke), bassist James L. Manning (Billy Preston), and keyboardist Chris Troy (K-Ci & JoJo) whose phenomenal work adds an extra layer of smooth soul dimension. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two additional contributors making their recording and album credit debut.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two additional contributors making their recording and album credit debut- Magdalena Fertl on Chimes and Nikita Konrad on percussion.

#1 Billboard Band Threestyle presents a smooth soulful LP ‘Music from the Soul ‘. including 12 soul classic soul songs like What?s going on, Grandmas Hands, Let?s stay together, So tired of being alone, Me and Mrs Jones, Superfly, Let the music play, I’ll be around, Back Stabbers, Let?s o it again, To know you is to love you and a soulful version of Smokey Robinson’s classic “Cruisin” featuring a stellar constellation with multi-platinum Fattburger’s legendary virtuoso Steve Laury on lead guitar, Robert Fertl on lead guitar, back vocals and production, Magdalena Chovancova on sax, flute and backing vocals, Damon Dae vocals, Latonya Black Gilliard vocals, Tim Owens vocals, Ashley Sankey vocals, George Duke’s drummer Rayford Griffin, Billy Preston’s bassist James L. Manning, K-Ci & JoJo’s Keyboarder Chris Troy, Magdalena Fertl on chimes, Gabriela Chovancova and Nikita Konrad on percussion.

1. What’s Going On
2. I’ll Be Around
3. Me & Mrs Jones
4. Grandmas Hands
5. So Tired Of Being Along
6. To Know You Is To Love You
7. Let’s Do It Again
8. Back Stabbers
9. Let’s Stay Together
10. Cruisin
11. Let The Music Play
12. Superfly

New CD – 2022 – Buy from here