Greenissimo is a Berlin-based project which is the brainchild of Charlyn Green Hashmi. This native of Detroit moved to Berlin in 1990, and both of these cities continue to influence her creative output. She is a classically-trained pianist who developed her songwriting skills while playing in various musicial outfits. Charlyn has collaborated with producers and DJs from Berlin's vibrant club scene. Greenissimo's sound is a reflection of her diverse musical background.
Singer Esther Cowens is a Californian who studied and performed classical and modern dance in Philidelphia. After touring across Europe, she decided to settle in Berlin. Esther and Charlyn became friends and preformed often together, always seeking to make music that was innovative and inspiring.
During a 3 year stay in Hamburg, Esther performed in musicals and became a distinctive voice in Hamburg's well-established Hip-Hop, Soul and Reggae movement.
The combined talents of Charlyn and Esther form the basis of the passionate and progressive sound that is Greenissimo.
www.greenissimo.com
GREENISSIMO CD AVAILABLE directly from Dangerous Drums! Buy it NOW!
FLY.co.uk - april 2006
click to read the interview with GREENISSIMOs Charlyn and Esther
DJ Mag / UK - december 2005
Greenissimo is the nu soul project of musician Charlyn Green Hashmi and singer Esther Cowens, two talented gals who¹ve uprooted from America to Berlin. There¹s some real nice feelgood stuff on this. Opener OLove Extreme¹ takes on an almost melodic pop-breakbeat mantle, while still remaining simultaneously soulful and funky. OThis Morning¹ boasts lovely piano keys, and there¹s plenty of warm basslines throughout not heard since Sade¹s O80s ODiamond Life¹ epic. Overall, the interweaving of sweet soul vox and inventive music works on a level comparable to Lamb at their most creative. It¹s sure to nestle nicely into the blacktronica/broken beat scenes. (Carl Loben)
LOOP / Germany - december 2005
Kein Amerikaner in Paris, stattdessen zwei Amerikanerinnen in Berlin. Greenissmo, das sind Sängerin Esther Cowens, die schon für Jay Delay, Lamont Dozier und Roachford sang und Keyboarderin Charlyn Hashmi, die unter anderem am Digital Jockey Album Codeine Dub mitgewirkt hat (siehe LOOP Juni 2005). Seit 8 Jahren elektrisiert das Duo den Berliner Underground, aber erst jetz erscheint dort beim Indie-Label Dangerous Drums ihr erstes Album, eine seelenvolle Fusion aus Brocken Beat, Neo Soul und elektronischen Dance-Grooves. Very uplifting, wie der Amerikaner sagen würde. Urbaner Soul mit dem Pulsschlag der Großstadt. Grün, grüner, geenissimo. 4/5
Freshguide / Germany - november 2005
Die Schwingungen sind soulful. Trotz der elektronischen Spielereien mit House, Elektro, Breakbeats und D&B bewahren die zwei in Berlin lebenden US-Ladys aus ihrem Debüt-Album ein starkes Live-Gefühl. Esther Cowens (Gesang) und Charlyn Hashmi (Keyboard & Songwriting) sind klassisch geschulte Vollblut-Musikerinnen, die sich ihre Sporen als Mitglieder diverser funky Bands bereits verdient haben. Deutlich hörbar in Charlyns klarem und dynamischem Klavieranschlag oder den von Esther wunderbar getroffenen Bluenotes.Mal schwebt ihre starke Soul-Stimme über einen Old School Electrobeat wie bei Love Extreme, mal über einen progressiven Tech House Track mit Tabla Percussions wie in The Dance We Do oder in der Ballade Amazing über ambiente Breakbeats. Zudem bekräftigen die filigran arrangierten Overdubs, die sich ynamisch über die Tracks entwickeln, das ambitionierte Songwriting. sg
