Monika Herzig - Transparent (2026)

Playing piano, keys, bells and organ, Monika Herzig brings together a team of Tom Clark-Joe Donnelly-Ted Nash/ts-fl, Peter K ienle/g-banj and Karina Colis/ddr for an album of mostly originals. At times, her approach gives hints of Herbie Hancock on the upbeat “Look Out” while she shows her Monk affinities on the bopping “Etch-A-Sketch”. Kienle is a charmer when plugged in on “Sacred Earth” while his acoustic strings add to the Andalusian atmosphere of “Bring Us Together”. A take of Elton John’s “Your Song” moves the original tune to a stronger tempo, with the song being the better for it. Tunes easy to see through.~ By George W. Harris