It’s easy to see why the likes of Doc Severinsen would sing the praises of vocalist Vanessa Thomas in the liner notes to this album. She’s got a delivery reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan, stylish, bold and flexible and with a classy sense of swing, as s he’s teamed with Roger Wilder/p, Eric Hitt/b, John Kizilarmut/dr, and guests Matt Otto/ts and Clint Ashlock/tp. She shows some grit when she locks with the horns on a shuffling “Every Day I Have The Blues” , and sways to Otto on a bluesy “At Last”. She doesn’t shy away from Ellingtonia, either, giving a rich and growling “Creole Love Call” while tapping into her inner Mahalia Jackson on “Come Sunday”, swinging with a smile on “I’m Beginning to See The Light”. Wilder holds the torch for her on “Smile” and lays down a bed of roses for “Tenderly”. A fresh sound of tradition.