Vocalists with musical emotions…
Jeannine Otis delivers intimate and personal materials wit support from Saul Rubin at the instrumental helm and guest Jonathan Sherry/p, Jimmy Ponzie/g, Stanley Banks/b, Stanton Davis/tp and Sam Jacobs/cong. Otis has a breathy sensuality as she draws you in on “Mood Is For Lovin’” an alluring “Lover Man” and the delicate read of “In A Sentimental Mood.” Her voice is percussive on a Latin and romantic “Cokika” while she gives a 70s soul feel to “Sweet Sad Guitar” and she carries a torch on a vulnerable “Touch Me Tonight”. Pagliacci passions.
Amber Weeks has a dynamic range from lush romantic to foot stomping fun on this album with Danny Grissett/p, Trevor Ware/b, Sherman Ferguson/dr, Phil Upchurch/g and a collection of guests on horns. Fingers snap to her saucy blues wailing “Hazel’s Hips” while she growls with Dwayne Benjamin’s trombone on the hi hat hitter “Don’t You Feel My Leg”. Louis Van Taylor brings his blues tenor for Weekes to try on for a slinky “One For My Baby” with his flute draping her on a late night “Something Cool”. She brings in smooth synthy strings for a sleek and romantic read of “’Round Midnight” that gives a whole new aspect to the song, also getting sentimental on “My Romance”. A heart of flesh.