Consisting of Ginny Carr, Robert McBride, Andre Enceneat and Holly Shockey, the Uptown Vocal Jazz Ensemble comes off as a poor man’s Manhattan Transfer, which is not a bad idea, actually. Fronting a swinging ensemble that includes horns and rhythm, the UVJE sets itself apart in that the songs and lyrics are penned by Ginny Carr, and she can write a clever tune! Her tribute to Eddie Jefferson (“He Was The Cat)” is brimming with hip, while “Java Junkie” is a nice updated attitude of an Ink Spots hit. Clever word spins abound as on the title track, and everyone gets a chance to solo between the harmonies which are less polished and more humane than the aforementioned MT. Clever and swinging and completely uncontrived. Nice outing!
HouseKat Records
