Jaime Nanci & The Blueboys - Toy Album Review

“Toy” is the debut album from Dublin band Jaime Nanci & The Blueboys. The band is made up of Jaime, Pawel Grudzien, Kevin Brady, Dave Redmond and Ciaran Wilde. They have been making a name for themselves entertaining audiences in venues across Ireland with their unique blend of contemporary and traditional jazz.

The opening track “Take Me To The Market” is a nostalgic offering with soothing warming vocals. The music is recognisable, you won’t know where you’ve heard it before but you definitely have and it makes for an enjoyable listen.

The bass work in “Beautiful Feeling” transports you to the swanky Blue Note Jazz Joint in New York. The song evokes images of men in fancy suits, women in expensive gowns, champagne and cocktails flowing and Jaime Nanci & the Blueboys on stage. In fact, this is the perfect accompaniment to a delicious old school cocktail. An old fashioned or a Tom Collins. None of your sugary juicy bullshit you get from TGI Fridays.

“Cassanova Street” is the type of song that you could easily imagine being the soundtrack to a 70’s detective movie. It has all the hallmarks of a movie song.

Also on offer here is a cover of Chris Isaak’s 1989 hit, “Wicked Game” is phenomenal. Jaime’s vocals are both haunting and beautiful in equal measure on this song. Cover versions often miss the mark but this doesn’t fall into that category and really stands out as one of the best tracks on the album.

“Grey Gardens” is a dark song sung in an upbeat way that masks the true intentions of the lyrics fantastically.

The clarinet opening of “I Put A Spell On You” is ridiculously enthralling. It’s what it must feel like to be a snake in a basket when somebody begins playing a pungi. It just instantly sucks you in and you will be glad that it did because the song is tremendous. Another cover version which has been done justice on this album.

Standout Tracks: Wicked Game, Beautiful Feeling & Grey Gardens.

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