Standards, originals, obscurities? Here, three women vocalists create their own mix and match.
Husky voiced Kate Reid delivers a collection of duets with the sensitive partners Taylor Eigsti/p, Fred Hersch/p, Larry Koonse/g, Romero Lubambo/g and Paul Meyers/g for intimate interpretations. Hersch uses his own rich songbook for the impressionistic “No More” and warm mooded “Lazin’ Around With You” while the two get crystal night delicate on “If I Should Lose You.” Reid and Eigsti are dreamy during “Busy Being Blue,” with Koonse she is cozy on “Confessin’” and wistful during “ Two Grey Rooms.” Lubambo brings out her sensuality during “Sars” and “Minds of Their Own” and she shows her swing with Meyers on “Something to Live For” and “Just Lucky So and So.” Delightful duets.
Jennifer Lee is with The Ever-Expanding Universe of musicians on this ambitions album with strings, horns and rhythm in a variety of conglomerations. She has a personal touch to her voices, working well on the Latin “Go In Peace” and the tender take of “My Shining Hour.” Her delivery is poppish on “What You See Is What You Get” and ”Song of Sandra” while getting folksy and intimate as she plays acoustic guitar on “Home.” Her piano work is night club relaxed on the soft “Speak Your Love” while she slinks to Tripp Sprague’s tenor sax on “Perfect Rendezvous.” Gentle ambitions.
Johnaye Kendrick sings with a rich and flexible voice while playing harmonium with Dawn Clement/p, Chris Symer/b, D’Vonne Lewis/dr, Michael Nicolella/g and Adore Oliver-Nola Oliver/voc. Many of the pieces are her own, and she is not intimidated by exotic drums on the clear toned “Never You Mind” while she goes indie with Symer on a lovely “You Two” and a cozy title track with Nicolella. She feels urgent on the Crescent City grooved “Scropion” and gets gospel pulsed on a funky “Boxed Wine.” A clever take of John Mayer’s “3×5” has her in a misty mood and she is sensuously subdued on “The Very Thought of You.” Any trips to So Cal coming up?