Chanda Rule & Mickylee: Revival

Revival is a captivating collaboration between vocalist Chanda Rule and guitarist Mickylee, highlighting their remarkable synergy and artistic talents. Right from the start, it is evident that this record blends their skills, instincts, and open-mindedness, resulting in music that not only grooves but also deeply resonates and inspires.

Throughout the project, their collaboration is evident, with each complementing the other's strengths to create music that exudes joy and beautiful artistry. Both artists are lecturers at the Jam Music Lab University for Jazz and Popular Music, where Rule teaches singing and Miroslav Mirosavljev, who uses the moniker Mickeylee, is a guitar professor and Dean of Studies.

With her Chicago-bred soul and jazz-infused voice, Rule possesses a storytelling ability that transcends words. Drawing from her memories of "revival days" from her youth, when communities gathered for soulful music and uplifting words, Rule aims to recreate that sense of unity on this record. Her gospel and soul roots blend seamlessly with jazz and communal music in Revival, resulting in a sound that feels fresh yet timeless. Mickylee complements Rule's vocals with his creative guitar work, whether delivering atmospheric melodies or bluesy post-bop cascades. His extensive background as a jazz guitar professor speaks volumes about his expertise and proficiency.

The album's nine tracks are like natural pearls, each unique yet tied together under a single identity. The duo blurs the lines between sound and song, improvisation, and composition, creating a truly unique and captivating listening experience.

The opening track, "We Find the Light," sets the tone for the album, with Mickylee's guitar melodies shining brightly as Chanda's vocals effortlessly float above. Their chemistry is undeniable as they effortlessly shift between leading and supporting roles. Both musicians demonstrate a very sensible and reactive sense of listening. Tracks like "Just as I Am" elevate bluesy arrangements with Rule's deeply felt gospel-like singing power.

"Portuguese Blue," originally an instrumental first introduced on his trio album with John Stowell, and Ulf Bandgren with the same title, gains new depth with Rule's gentle vocals, emphasizing the emotions invested in the original track. Now it's a completely different song with its own distinct character.

Rule and Mickylee cover expansive ground, with varied tempos and textures showcased in tracks like the moving ballad "Bring Peace," highlighting Rule's ability to sustain and sing through melodic lines. Rule's tonal shifts from song to song are not just exciting but meaningful, showcasing her intimacy and strong emotion. Both musicians demonstrate a very sensitive and reactive sense of listening. Throughout the whole album, they exchange ideas, giving this album a feeling of "spontaneous creativity." Mickylee is more than a background supporter, matching Rule's passion and joy. His distinctive guitar work combines the harmonic innovations of jazz with the melodic resonance of folk, creating compositions that are "direct yet take unexpected twists and turns." Whether in Rule's soaring vocals or the evocative guitar work of Mickylee, every note is imbued with a sense of purpose and passion that is impossible to ignore.

Slow and graceful songs like "Balm" and the bossa nova-tinged "Like Spring" showcase Rule's talent for crafting melodies and setting an intimate atmosphere. Mickylee's guitar adds a gentle touch, delicately weaving intricate melodies that complement Rule's vocals. In "Balm," Mickylee's guitar creates a serene soundscape, while in "Like Spring," it adds a playful yet tender quality. The introduction to "It's All Up to You" captivates with its baroque classical music-inspired intricacy. Throughout these tracks, Mickylee's guitar work enhances the music, adding depth and emotion without overpowering Rule's vocals.

Among her most distinguishing artistic traits is how she makes tonal shifts from song to song which are not just exciting but meaningful. Rule is Intimate in her presentation and she projects with strong emotion while squeezing every ounce of passion and joy from the songs. Rule has found a fine match in Mickylee who shows being more than a supporter in the background. "With One Voice" passionately ends the album, emphasizing collaboration and universal themes of love and hope.

Revival is a beautiful album, top to bottom, showcasing the magic that happens when two exceptionally talented artists come together to create something truly special. The overall feeling in listening to these two work together is that they have a good rapport and good chemistry. As such, it defies easy categorization, offering an expansive yet intimate meditation on the universal themes of love, community, and hope. With its soul-stirring melodies and thought-provoking lyrics, the Revival is a testament to the transformative power of music and its ability to connect us all on a profound level.

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