Recorded in Barcelona, the debut album from Vanessa Bissiri, Empathica (Empathy) allows us to better understand or feel what the singer is experiencing while she vocalizes about her personal reflections. “C'è Sempre Il Mare” (There Is Always The Mother) and “Una Forma Distinta” (A Different Form) open the album with a jazzy radiance and spiritual glow. Bissiri has a mellow, sensuous approach to her singing of “Se Perfuma Y Toma” (Smell and Drink), “L'amore Son Stagioni” (Love Is Seasonal), “Visione” (Vision) and “Mudo Amor” (Dumb Love).  I sense a bit of sadness, melancholy, romanticism or deeper emotions in Bissiri’s songs.

“Ossessione Gentile” and “Up Through The Air” may help us better understand the emotional states of others. Is it possible that the central theme of this album is to communicate Bissiri’s recognition and significance of others’ actions and emotional states? The latter song is sung in English to provide listeners with a dreamy adventurous journey through the clouds. For her stylish backup, the singer has chosen Mario Maeso (classical guitar), Giancarlo Scevola (electric guitar), Sergio Rojas (bass) and Coco Sauvetre (drums). (Joe Ross, Roots Music Report)