Review – Laila Biali

By: Remington Fioraso

Album: House of Many Rooms
Download Link: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/album/house-of-many-rooms/id973220139
Genre: Indie Pop
Release date: April 14, 2015

Laila Biali is a contemporary jazz hailing from Vancouver, British Columbia.  She currently based in New York City and Toronto.  The singer has been recognized as SOCAN Composer of the Year and Keyboardist of the Year at Canada’s National Jazz Awards.  In addition, the singer received a nomination for Best Vocal Jazz Album at the 2011 Juno Awards.  Although the singer has primarily focused on jazz, she does take influence from outside genres.  Under Laila Biali & The Radiance Project, the singer ventures into the realm of contemporary pop music.

The contemporary/indie pop release of House of Many Rooms is available on iTunes now.  The album contains eleven tracks.  It is Biali’s first release featuring completely original material.  Additionally, it was her first time arranging a string orchestra and gospel choir.

When listening to House of Many Rooms, I was captivated immediately.  Each track is a strong contribution to the album as a whole.  In particular, the tracks “Shadowlands,” “Home,” “Upside Down,” and “Wait For Me” stood out the most for me.  It feels as though the release could be the accompanying soundtrack for a musical. The vocals, lyrical content, and instrumental arrangements weave in beautifully together.  It was well constructed, written, and performed displaying a good transition for Biali from contemporary jazz to contemporary pop.

I would highly recommend getting the album House of Many Rooms by Laila Biali & The Radiance Project on iTunes.  If you enjoy the release as much as I did, you should check out the tour dates supporting House of Many Rooms as well as connect with the singer through her social media profiles

Rating 5/5

Upcoming Tour Dates:
April 16 – Victoria, BC – Hermann’s Jazz Club
April 17 – Vancouver, BC – The Fox Theatre
April 18 – Kelowna, BC – Minstrel Café
April 19 – Revelstoke, BC – Venue TBA
April 21 – Canmore, AB – Communitea Café
April 22 – Edmonton, AB – Mercury Lounge
April 23 – Saskatoon, SK – Village Guitar
April 24 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
April 25 – London, ON – Aeolian Hall
April 26 – Hamilton, ON – Pearl Theatre Company
May 2 – Toronto, ON – Little Trinity Church
May 1 – Ottawa, ON – GigSpace Performance Studio

Connect with Laila Biali at:
https://www.facebook.com/LAILABIALIMUSIC/
https://twitter.com/lailabiali
http://www.theradianceproject.com/