Vocalist Carmella Rappazzo shows impressive flexibility and emotional range on this collection of originals plus one. Her voice has an attractive growl that she uses instead of vibrato, and it works well in adding emphasis as she teams with a wide ranging team of Oscar Rossignoli/p, Jasen Weaver/b, Gerald T. Watkins Jr/dr, Mahmoud Chouki/lutar, Pete Snell/g and a mix of horns, percussionists and background vocalists used as extra seasoning.
She’s crystal clear yet still quirky over the military drums of “Genie in a Bottle” and luminously tells stories by the campfire on “Keyhole.” Her attractive groan works well with Rossignol on the nourish “Rush of Heat” and with Chouki during the mystical “State of Grace” and the dimly lit haunted “Haunted” while showing her swing chops as she swaggers on “Howlin’ At The Moon.” Musical moods and shadows galore.