Warm and comfort food-voiced Dennis Llewellyn Day delivers a soulful plate of standards and clever remakes on this album wih a wide variety of support that includes Paul Meyers/g, Harold Mabern/p and Anthony Wonsey/p. Of the bossa nova tracks, he teams with Camille Thurman for a fun and percussive “Waters of March” while he gets reflective as he sings “Autumn Leaves” In French. He has a fun time in New Orleans with Mabern on “Wastin’ My Time” and is rich with the chunky chords on a delightful read of John Coltrane’s classic “Naima.” His tribute to the hit “Mercy Mercy Mercy” has him in a bopping mode during “Zawinul & Cannonball Blues” and with James Zollar’s growling horn, Day springs forth on a hot take of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” Accessible and alluring jazz vocals.
Mark Kinsgwood keeps it bright and popish as he comes across as a latter day Michael Buble’ on this debut album. The fellow Canadian shows impressive skills as a composer, coming out of Desolation Blvd on “Strong” and “Velvet Touch” while feeling like Neil Sedaka with the 60s rocker “Time Away.” A bel canto aria of REM’s “Losing My Religion” is intriguing as is a string filled romantic take of George Michael’s “One More Try.” Family friendly Rat Pack
Allen Austin-Bishop brings a rich and earthy voice to the front with his team of Alex Mayhew/p, Mao Yamada/b and Rob Hervais-Adelman/dr. He gets dark with Yamada on a harrowing “Summertime” and produces a dramatic reading of “What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?”. He reaches into subtone areas on “The Way We Were,” holds the notes with effect during a rich “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and is relaxed as all get out on ”That’s All” and slows down the Motown hit “If You Really Love Me” to a late night noir mood. His concert take of “Amazing Grace” with Maydew will have the congregation roll down the aisles. Rich and thick like a malt.