Philly-based vocalist Maci Miller is teamed up with pianist/co-writer Aaron Graves and a tem of Mike Boone/b, Larry McKenna/ts, Victor North/ss, Byron Landham-Josh Orlando-Leon Jordan/dr and guest Jeremy Pelt/tp for some modern sounding originals and standards. Her tone is reminiscent of Eartha Kitt, with a trumpet like bite as on the swaying “Love Me For Who I Am” alongside McKenna’s tenor. She and Graves are cozy on a gentle “The Nearness Of You” while the rhythm section delivers a soft canter for “Feel The Music”. Mature musings.
Juxtaposed with a trio of Allen Farnham/p, Dean Johnson/b and Tim Horner/dr as well as a string section, vocalist Masumi Ormandy delivers lush and sentimental reads of standars. Her voice is clear on “Like A River Flowing” and clearly optimistic for “Here’s To Life”. There’s a nice inflection for “Tea For Two” and a coy quality for “ It’s Only A Paper Moon”. Charming moments for the lounging listener.