Características
The Rolling Stone magazine summed it up perfectly: “A rare songwriting talent who combines melancholy with emotional depth and always leaves a spark of hope behind.” We're talking about singer-songwriter Mika Hary and her acclaimed debut album “When Morning Comes” (BMG France, 2018), which includes a collection of original songs as well as a gem by Leonard Cohen. “Deux Faces” the follow-up: an amazing mini-album that reflects bittersweetly on relationships and explores the complexity and duality of human connections.
Hary, who toured France with her band as the opening act for Rufus Wainwright prior to the release of “Deux Faces” and has performed frequently in New York and France, including at the Philharmonie de Paris, was inspired for the recordings by bass virtuoso Haggai Cohen-Milo. He suggested recording two versions of each song: one as a duet with vocals and bass – reduced, raw, almost as if whispering secrets to the listener. The other with a full band. This approach allowed listeners to experience the many facets and personalities of each song. The concept of “two sides” runs through the entire album, from the double-exposed cover photo by photographer Katha Mau to the album title. Also on board are long-time LowSwing musicians – besides Cohen-Milo, guitarist Daníel Friðrik Böðvarsson, drummer Amir Bresler and, as a guest, saxophonist and flutist Omri Abramov – all of whom are known for their contributions to albums by Fink, Lori Lieberman, Veronika Morcher and many other artists.
“Deux Faces” was recorded live in the new LowSwing studio in Berlin – purely analog, with minimal overdubs and driven by respect and passion for purist recording techniques. The numbered and strictly numbered 140-gram LP was mastered at Emil Berlin Studios, cut at 45 RPM and pressed at the Pallas record factory. The booklet contains detailed information about the recording equipment and microphone technique, as well as the mixing console and effects devices used.
LowSwing Records is a young record label dedicated to the love of music in analog format. LowSwing productions are recorded and mixed on analog tape and then cut directly to vinyl. The heart of the label is the LowSwing Recording Studio in Berlin (www.lowswing.de), where owner Guy Sternberg devotes himself to exciting new artists with the production values of yesteryear.
Side A
1. The Battle Tango (And The Ceasefire Waltz)
2. What Was It
3. Bird On The Wire
Side B
1. Goodbye To Drama
2. The Battle Tango (And The Ceasefire Waltz) – Duet
3. What Was It – Duet
4. Bird On The Wire – Reprise