Karla Harris has an earthy and husky tone to her voice, almost sounding like she stepped out of a Delaney and Bonnie session. She makes an adroit choice by selecting songs made famous by Dave Brubeck, along with Ms Iola Brubeck’s lyrics to tunes such as “In Your Own Sweet Way” and “The Duke.” The band mates are first rate, with Ted Howe/p-key, Tom Kennedy/b, Dave Weckl/dr Bob Sheppard/as and J. Cricket/perc supplying all that is needed. There are a few eyebrows to raise here, as with a cleverly assertive and driving read of “The Duke” and a flexible “Take Five” that features Sheppard’s heated alto. Sheppard also appears on the bluesy “ Summer Song” while Harris strips down to something more comfortable with just Kennedy’s bass on the flowing “ My One Bad Habit” and with Howe at the ivories on “In Your Own Sweet Way.” The band and sound leans more towards pop, but the jazz feel is always there under the first layer, as on the delicate “Strange Meadowlark” and the agitated “Far More Blues.”
Summit Records