Last June I had the opportunity to watch HITT perform live at 330live in Den Haag. I was so impressed by the music HITT made, that I immediately bought the cd LOVExHATE from him and played it non-stop. When I heard that HITT made a new album, called NO SINGING NO LIFE, I had to hear this as soon as possible. Besides, it seemed fun for me to write an album review about this, so I went to work. This is the first time I write an album review, so I had no idea where to start. But once I played the album, the words came to me and here’s the result.
Let’s start with the track list:
1. NO SINGING NO LIFE
2. DESIRE (Bossa nova version)
3. Memory
4. Morning Snow
5. WILD KISS (Jazz version)
6. LIFE
The first song shares the same name as the album itself, NO SINGING NO LIFE. Through a relaxed way of singing and a guitar tune you are being welcomed in the first song. It’s just a beautiful and playable song and you get a good impression of the voice of HITT. Beautiful and melodic. I had to listen to this song again before I could continue with the rest of the album.
The second song Is called DESIRE (Bossa nova version). This number has a nice intro with piano and bongo’s (I think). I get an image in my head of on old French café, with a couple dancing in front of your eyes. I find it hard to just listen to the music without moving along. HITT’s voice in this number is set and on point. He lets you hear a raw side of his voice on the exact right moments.
The third song is called Memory. This is a serene song on the piano, that gives you the opportunity to really listen to HITT’s voice. I get the idea that this song shows many of his singing skills. His voice goes from high to low without a hitch. Halfway through the song the piano is joined by a drum-like sound. It’s not annoying, but I rather had it without the drum. It distracted me from HITT’s voice. But once you get used to the drum, it remains a beautiful song from beginning to end.
The fourth song is called Morning Snow. Love the Piano!!! That’s the first thing I think about every time I hear this son. It’s so gentle. HITT is in sync with the piano in the beginning of the song and slowly he puts more power in his voice. With small highlights and then back to softly singing along. It goes from calm to strong to calm, which is a perfectly fitting formula for this song. At the end of the song a second voice joins. At first the voice is hard to notice, but it’s there if you pay good attention to it. It’s so in sync with HITT’s voice, that you could call it a shadow. Morning Snow is definitely one of my favourites of this album.
The fifth song is called WILD KISS (Jazz version). And this song takes us back to that French café. A soft swinging song with piano and drums. I love it when HITT gives his kiss a small high note. This song is a true womanizer. Ladies, if someone sings this song for you, you will melt!! Honestly.
The sixth and last song is called LIFE. A perfect ending of this album. A beautiful piano composition, which goes perfectly with HITT’s voice. Halfway through the song there’s a little drum solo, which complements the song. It also goes very with will the piano. Later a second voice joins the song and finishes it off. This song is simple and perfect in my opinion. It’s a gentle and beautiful song that makes you smile unconsciously.
Even though it ‘only’ 6 songs, you can’t deny the diversity of HITT’s voice. From a touching ballad to a swinging jazz feeling, HITT can and does it all. By the combination of piano, drum, guitar and HITT’s voice you get carried away in every song you hear. I’m convinced that HITT is an absolute master in this. This CD is a wonderful piece of work that directly speaks to your feelings.
But in my opinion HITT is much better live. But since it is impossible to carry an artist with you 24/7, including all the instruments, I recommend this cd NO SINGING NO LIFE to carry that HITT feeling with you. I’m very glad that he will be performing with Ryo Fujimura on December 1st in 330live in Den Haag, and I will definitely be there. Find all the tourdates here.
The mini-album is released on November 22st and you can order it via the Râmen Events webwinkel for €18,-.
