Adam Levy, an accomplished jazz guitarist, has recorded and toured with Norah Jones, Tracy Chapman, Amos lee and others. In February, after a successful Kickstart donation campaign, Levy released his new album, The Heart Collector.
An all-acoustic album, producer Mark Orton perfectly captured Levy’s skilled guitar playing. Mostly Levy and his guitar, there are a few tracks with very little accompaniments. In his Kickstart proposal, Levy wrote, “I want the songs to shine on their own, without much window-dressing, and I want to push myself as a singer and solo performer.” Pushing himself, Levy wrote one song a week for 20 weeks, resulting in a collection so varied and so wonderful it’s hard to name a standout. The opening track, “I Wish I Could Change Your Mind,” is a wistfully romantic ballad with beautiful jazz guitar lines. Then, Levy changes it up a little bit with the singer-songwriter vibe in “A Promise to California” and the bluesy “This is the Sound.” You will also here a sultry tango on the title track, a folksy country tune, “There’s A Light” and a Parisian accordion on “No Dancing.”
Levy stated that The Heart Collector would be his proving ground, but there really isn’t anything to prove when you’re this good and have always been this good. The Heart Collector has only confirmed, reaffirmed and validated that Levy is one of the best songwriters and musicians in the business. It is a great album overflowing with warm and soulful songs that enchant the ears and captivate the heart.
–April Wolfe @Common Folk Music
Stream and Buy The Heart Collector on bandcamp.com
