Ron Kaplan Dedicated
Kapland Records

©2003 Kapland Records

Roberto De Virtis Beware! Beware! The crooners have returned! The new-wave of ' cantanti confidenziali' - handsome, elegant, ' cool' - that modernizes the myth of the 50s, the swing era and Frank Sinatra has taken the world market by a storm. It is not important if its’ a fleeting fashion or a skillful marketing plan: what counts, is that the enthusiasm for this phenomenon has rediscovered artists who use the “vocalese” as an art in a new era. Amongst these, Ron Kaplan who will not have the appeal of Michael Bublè or Peter Cincotti, but has created an honest music, maybe without great pretensions but pleasant.

Dedicated collects thirteen songs to the standard of the tradition of which the Californian singer feels himself as caretaker and ambassador, always with great irony and understatement (qualities that are lacking in another ' passatista' like Marsalis). The tracking of famous standards ("Old Devil Moon", "It Could Happen To You", "Lush Life") and songs of a lighter repertoire ("What the World Needs Now" of Burt Bacharach) compose this old-fashioned frescoes based on the warm, deep and baritone voice of the singer. Kaplan – who is also the producer – has a measured and dry style and surrounds himself with musicians who are outstanding and functional at the accompaniments.

English Translation by: Sheila Hurley