It’s been way too long since vocalist Gretchen Parlato has released an album, and this one may simply be her strongest. For one thing, it sounds most like her concert performances, as she stays mostly with a single working team of cellist Artyom Manukyan, guitarist Marcel Camargo and drummer/percussionist Leo Costa along with some cameo guests.
Like the best of closing relievers, Parlato mixes up her deliveries, going wordless with spartan support on the sparkling “Cello Suite No. 1” or gliding over the cello’d bossa beat on a tender “E Pecisio Perdoar”. She creates intimate and intricate vocal percussion on “Magnus” and is dainty with verbal droples on “Rosa”. A waltzing “What Does A Lion Say” has her oozing honey from her lips, while the African lilt provided by Gerald Clayton and Mark Guilaina has her giving an upbeat chant on “Wonderful”. She swing assertively on “No Plan” and gets urban on Clayton’s synthy pulse for “Sweet Love”, all the while sounding like the light glistening through a stained glass window. Probably the most fresh sounding singer around these days, so check out this release and look for a tour.