I get tons of releases from female vocalists every week; it takes A LOT for one of these to stand out. This one does. What makes Dee Alexander so special, as she’s doing a bunch of standards with a team that has Harrison Bankhead/b, Miguel Delacerna/p and Yussef Ernie Adams/dr as the foundation and a rotation of guests artists? Well, she makes you feel the lyrics-she is singing to YOU when she brings together “Lonesome Love” with tenor saxist Ari Brown or a rich “Nature Boy” that includes Corey Wilkes on trumpet. She plays with each syllable, each accent as if she’s given it a lot of thought before letting it pass from her rich lips, having fun with “ Perdido” on a couple of takes and swinging like a gate on “Softly as a Morning Sunrise.” She brings in a few obscurities to keep you on your toes as well, with a nice take of Junior Mance’s “Letter From Home” and a nicely strutting “As Long As You’re Living” by Julian Priester. This lady has more delivery styles than a closing reliever and makes it fit into a hot bop environment that is as fresh as spring water. Give this lady an ear-she’ll fill it for you!
Blujazz Records.