Vocalist and composer Robin McKelle comes across as a wandering pilgrim, searching for answers on this intimate and personal album. Her voice is part indie, part dreamy, teaming with guests including Chris Potter/ts-ss, Shedrick Mitchell/key, Vincent Ardher/b, Daniel Sadownick/perc, Al Street/g, Martin Sweill/g and The Piano Man’s Choir.
The overall mood is reflective and personal, with themes such as a crisis of faith with Mitchell’s B3 on the confessional “Do You Believe?” and a gentle gospel’d “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The team is earnest as she tells a story on “Simple Man” and able to get earthy on “It Won’t End Up” with a more placid than normal read of “Yes We Can Can” with a vocal choir in support. Potter’s soprano adds to the atmosphere on the pulsed “Come to Me” while McKelle searches for truth on “Lyla.” Intimate musical musings for the Janis Ian set.