Here’s a vocalist that you’re gonna like for a couple of reasons. First, debut disc vocalist Allegra Levy has a nice delivery and quite clever in that she doesn’t mind playing around about with a syllable or note. As on tunes such as the “Clear Eyed Tango” and “A Better Day” she creates her own tempo with a verse by holding it note just a bit longer and bending it like Silly Putty. Other times, she can float over a bebopping groove as on “I Don’t Want To Be In Love” and high steps the jazz groove with a husky toned “A New Face.”
Notice anything different in the song titles? There are no standards nor covers; everything is from her pen, and the tunes are clever and thoughtful. The rhythm team of Carmen Staaf/p, Jorge Roeder/b and Richie Barshat/dr snaps like a rubber band, and the horn team of Adam Kolker/ts and John Bailey/tp make for some hip moods as on “I’m Not Okay.” There’s some exotic moods with a dreamy and dark “Why Do I” and she works with Roeder quite well on “Our Lullabye.” But, nothing prepares you for when she goes deep into the warning track with him on the disarming and disturbing closer “The Duet.” This lady has something to offer, and she serves it like a waitress at Tiny Naylors here.
SteepleChase Lookout Records