Vocalist Marlene Ver Planck gives an old school-styled delivery of standards here with a simpatico team of John Pearce/p, Paul Morgan/g, Bobby Worty/dr, Mark Nightingale/tb and Andy Panayi/sax-fl. She’s got a warm and slightly soft-leathered voice which gives depth to her delivery. Her timing is as good as Mariano Rivera’s, able to change speeds and locations on bouncy pieces such as “The Mood I’m In” with trombonist Nightingale and the winsome “Free and Easy” with Morgan’s bass. The trio struts well with assured voice on”Certain People” and she gets reflective and starry eyed on a glowing “All Too Soon.” Panayi’s flute is ap perfect partner for a romantic and mature read of “I Want To Talk About You,” and she slinks on “Me and the Blues” like she’s been around the block a few times. My kind of gal!
Jazzology Records