Vocalist Kari Kirkland teams up with Kevin Axt/b, Shelly/p, John Daversa/tp, Gregg Field/dr, the late Roy Hargrove/tp, Brian Kilgore/p Dean Parks/g and the guest Budapest Sessions Orchestra for a collection of rich interpretations. She’s folksy on “Everybody Wants to Rule The World” and sassy on a rich “Steam Roller Blues”. Her wistful tones works well with Berg and Hargrove during “Do It Again” and emotive on “Jealous”. A rockish “Break Your Heart” has a salsa flavor and dreamy on “Secret”. Cozy corners.
A number of years ago, vocalist Zoe Scott changed musical directions, eschewing rock for sleeky jazz. This album has her bringing a rich bossa nova feel to Brazilian standards as well as Baby Boomer hits, with the album sounding like a Tom Jobim album produce by Claus Oberman. The lush strings, the rich toned horns all fit in well to Scott’s well played voice. She sounds relaxed and refreshing, recreating “Quiet Nights” and “Once I Loved” like the original masterpieces. She also does some clever samba-ing to Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour” and the nylon strings are fragant as she weaves through them on The Beatles’ “In My Life”. A bit of rock returns on “You Know I’m No Good” but for the most part, this lady is trying to park in Diana Krall’s parking spot, and she fits in well.