Michelle Pollace makes a welcome return with her well-crafted and satisfying new EP I’m Just Happy to Be Here — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
After a decade-long hiatus from releasing original music, the award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist is back with a release that blends jazz sensibility, Latin / Brazilian rhythms and electronic elements, reflecting her rich musical heritage and demonstrating her pursuit of reinvention. The four-song work not only marks her return to releasing original music, it also marks a shift in her evolving sound.
Michelle began exploring electronic music production during the pandemic shutdown, a period of intense experimentation that culminated in I’m Just Happy to Be Here. Citing Bonobo and Jazzanova as primary production influences, the EP offers electronic music that veers into future jazz, broken beat, and house territory.
The first single New Brighton is a whimsical bossa-tinged groove that recalls a rare feeling of freedom during the restriction of shutdown. Tal Vez Para Voar (Perhaps to Fly) melds jazz piano, deep-house groove, and featured vocal by talented Brazilian singer Lola Leona into a danceable track that’s right at home in playlists featuring Bonobo’s No Reason and similar songs.
Be Right Back Remixed re-imagines a work from Michelle’s previous release, the critically acclaimed acoustic Latin jazz album New Beginning (2013); the resulting reggaeton-inspired bop features Kristen Strom’s original sax lines chopped and flipped into a new, playful melody, symbolizing Michelle picking up where she left off artistically while adding a new twist. Alone Together ventures into leftfield and shifts between duple and 6/8 time, an electronic version of the composition Michelle created as a result of being awarded a composer’s grant from San Jose Jazz in 2023.
Michelle’s diverse musical journey spans decades and includes recording and performing with Lou Harrison’s Gamelan Si Betty (Indonesian / modern classical orchestral ensemble) and forming the world-fusion Latin jazz group Zarate Pollace Project with Abel Zarate (Malo guitarist and cowriter of the hit Suavecito) to release Soul Redemption (2005). Michelle is best known as a Latin jazz pianist, composer and bandleader. Her solo debut New Beginning (2013), garnered significant jazz-radio airplay and numerous positive reviews, landing on Best of 2013 lists.
Listen to I’m Just Happy to Be Here below and get more information on Michelle Pollace‘s website.
