I’ve never heard any material from Hazel Mitchell-Bell, probably due to the fact that she’s based in Washington DC, but this album is impressive as she mixes jazz with soul and R&B, showing she knows how to work a room. She’s supported by Craig Alston/sax-fl, Vince Evans/p-key, Robert Fiester/g, James B. King Jr/f, JC Jefferson Jr/dr and a string quartet on this wide ranging session. She shows how to get swampy as she works a sweat on “Rio De Janeiro Blue” and swings like a tetherball with Evans on “Let There Be Love.” She’s bold and defiant with organ on “Willow Weep For Me” and bohemian blue as Jefferson supplies moody mallets for a wistful “Autumn Leaves.” Alston’s tenor adds to the richness of an assured “Everything Must Change” and her take of Nina Simone’s “Four Women” is husky and evocative without being preachy. Classy and timeless in both material and delivery.