Valentina Marino has accomplished the near-impossible: She has recorded a cover of Bob Marley's eternally uplifting classic "Three Little Birds" - and owns it completely. You wouldn’t even realize that it’s a Bob Marley song until you listen to the words. And if you’re not a Marley fan, you would think that this is an original track and not a cover. It’s that unique and impressive, performed a cappella with hypnotic charm.
I asked Marino about the genesis of the single.
Q: What was the process of recording the cover of Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" like? Did you always envision it as an a cappella remake?
A: I first heard a bass and voice rendition of it in my ears. Then vocal layers started popping out and this is what led me to the final a cappella version.
Q: "Three Little Birds" is, of course, originally reggae. How would you classify your own style of music?
A: Simply my own!
Q: How long have you been singing? Did you receive any formal training?
A: I have been singing since I was a child. My career as a professional vocalist started much later. I studied privately, then at the university of music in Rome to finally graduate from the New School for Jazz and contemporary music in NYC.
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Q: What other genres of music do you picture experimenting with?
A: Jazz meeting Folk, electronic, reggae and rock.
Q: Have you begun work on your next album? Will it be similar or different than your debut "Jazz Canvas"?
A: My latest album, "PhiLOVEsophy," soon to be released by Jazzheads Records, is a completely different project than the former "Jazz Canvas." There are some of my originals here and a very interesting jazz cover of "Space Oddity," arranged by the great Max Zooi. The concept is also different. There is a common feeling here: all songs are about philosophy, love and the act of feeling; therefore, "PhiLOVEsophy," feel the love, so feel.
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