# CD review: Frau Contra Bass – Kiss & Cry 2022: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2022/08/23/cd-review-frau-contra-bass-kiss-cry-2022-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2022-08-23T00:04:00+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Following the debut FrauContraBass, Saal 3 and Comes Love, the two have amazed
us for the fourth time with an unexpected richness of sound. They really came up
with many exciting arrangements for Kiss + Cry.**

The name of a duo can be so simple and yet aptly playful: Frau Contra Bass. The 
duo of singer Katharina Debus and double bass player Hanns Höhn does not work against
each other – they really harmonize perfectly with each other. The virtuosity of 
the two musicians jumps out at you from the first moment of their new album “Kiss&
Cry” without being overwhelmed by it – it is simply there and leaves nothing to 
be desired for other instruments in this duo. Although there are one or two guest
musicians to be welcomed here and there.

What CD? The title is disturbing! Is that the awkward description of the cast? Are
unusual conflicts discussed? Whatever: female voice and double bass captivate the
listeners immediately. As a duo, economical in effort, just two voices, Katharina
Debus and Hanns Höhn have been exploring the relationships between women and men
for more than 10 years, humorously, drastically, sensitively musically with each
other, but never without relationships.

Overflowing with expression, emotion, swing, humour, groove and timbre, Katharina
Debus’ mezzo-soprano becomes a sensitive instrument in this jazz, soul and pop song.
After a ten-year duo break, the duo presents Kiss and Cry with ten songs, from “
White Paper” by Element of Crime to Ariana Grande’s “God Is A Woman”. The songs 
are covered, i.e. musically gutted, adapted, reinterpreted. The soul of the duo 
takes control of this music in an improvisational manner, and it comes alive in 
a fascinating way at numerous concerts in clubs and at festivals.

With music reduced to the essentials, the white emptiness of the paper of the partner
relationship appears completely different, even if the trousers crocheted by the
partner still end up in the Salvation Army container. But the intensity of the sensual
female voice at least helps the listener away that the relationship is over and 
messed up. After Ariana Grande’s hit by the sensually beguiling siren Katharina 
Debus, the listener also likes to believe that God is probably more of a woman. 
The intimate harmony with the sonorous and sovereign double bass creates highly 
differentiated, minimalist vocal jazz at its finest, in which the experience of 
the SLIXS -Soprano and the sophistication of the vocal coach are fully sung.

Some of the songs undergo almost unreal reworkings, in which, for example, a quiet
trumpet, a rough bass clarinet or an enigmatic choir get involved. This music condenses,
reflecting the intensity of this longstanding musical relationship. The tracks on
the CD brilliantly capture the spontaneity of the improvising musicians playing 
together. The whole thing ends with Stevie Wonder’s “It’s that love’s in need of
love today”. Wonderful. The forthcoming CD is the fourth of the two. Fans will pounce
on it. A supplement was omitted.

I like the fact that we worked more with overdubs this time. And the fact that we
recorded it in my living room changed a lot of things. No one telling you that you
have to go now. If we felt like recording at 01:00 am, we did it.
Also I just love
to play the new stuff live. It’s such a great pleasure to work with such an incredible
musician like Hanns for such a long time and it never ever gets boring. We have 
worked with both of the guest musicians many times, and we have known both of them
for a very long time. Cornelius Borgolte, who plays the wonderful bass clarinet 
solo on “Weisses Papier” has even recorded 2 of our former records. So in short:
love and skill,- interview with me said **Katharina Debus.**

1. Rather Be
 2. Love Trip 3. Note To Self 4. Don’t Start Now 5. If It’s Magic 6.
Weißes Papier 7. God Is A Woman 8. Another Day 9. Wolken 10. Tightrope 11. Love’s
In Need Of Love Today

**Hanns Höhn – bass**
 **Katharina Debus – vocal**

[**New CD – 2022 – Buy from here**](https://www.jpc.de/jpcng/jazz/detail/-/art/fraucontrabass-kiss-and-cry/hnum/10896170)

![](https://fraucontrabass.files.wordpress.com/2022/04/fcb_cd-1.jpeg?w=539&resize
=640%2C572)

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