Heart's Desire
Artist: Carol Sloane

Singer Carol Sloane's debut for Concord features her swinging and putting the proper amount of emotion into lyrics of both familiar and obscure songs. Accompanied by pianist Stefan Scaggiari, bassist John Lockwood and drummer Colin Bailey, Sloane is heard in fine form on a program ranging from "Secret Love" and "Them There Eyes" to Dave... Read More

Ballads, Blues & Big Bands: The Best of Nancy Wilson
Artist: Nancy Wilson

One of the great modern song stylists, Nancy Wilson effortlessly blends her jazz know- how with a hefty dose of pop-soul touches. Her prime came in the ‘60s, when she cut a wealth of generally fine albums for Capitol. This 3-disc set goes a long way in putting that period into perspective, containing as it does 60 of her best sides. The bulk... Read More

The Songs Carmen Sang
Artist: Carol Sloane

Carol Sloane pays tribute to the recently deceased Carmen McRae (a close personal associate) on this excellent set. Although she considered McRae an influence, Sloane actually sounds much closer to Ella Fitzgerald on many of the numbers and makes no attempt to imitate her friend. Joined by pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Michael Moore, drummer Ron... Read More

Day Dreamin'
Artist: Laverne Butler

With LaVerne Butler having provided so much passionate, intense hard bop on her debut album, No Looking Back, it came as quite a surprise when the singer took a more mellow and laidback approach on her second album, Day Dreamin', which was devoid of loud horn solos and found her joined by an intimate piano trio. Not thrilled to hear Butler... Read More

When I Look in Your Eyes
Artist: Carol Sloane

This is one of Carol Sloane's finest recordings. Having developed into a superb interpreter of lyrics who always swings, Sloane works closely with pianist Bill Charlap (who is sometimes joined by bassist Steve Gilmore, drummer Ron Vincent, and guitarist Howard Alden) on a variety of haunting ballads and an occasional romp. Her rendition of... Read More

Ethel Ennis
Artist: Ethel Ennis
Sweet Home Cookin'
Artist: Karrin Allyson
Community Score: 3.50

Karrin Allyson has a small and sometimes hoarse voice but she does so much with it that her bop session is easily recommended. Her all-star sextet (comprised of trumpeter Randy Sandke, the late tenor Bob Cooper, guitarist Danny Embrey, pianist Alan Broadbent, bassist Putter Smith, and drummer Sherman Ferguson) has plenty of short solos on... Read More

French Cookin'
Artist: Stephanie Nakasian

Stephanie Nakasian, a swinging singer with an appealing voice, alternates between standards (sometimes outfitted with her lyrics) and obscurities (including two composed by her pianist Hod O'Brien) on this enjoyable CD. Nakasian's lyrics to "Nuages," "Isfahan" and "Pent-Up House" are notable as is the French horn playing of Bobby Routch; bassist... Read More

The Real Thing
Artist: Carol Sloane

Singer Carol Sloane is in excellent voice throughout this 1990 recording. Joined by Phil Woods (on both alto and clarinet), pianist Mike Renzi (who contributed both the arrangements and occasional synthesizers), bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Grady Tate, Sloane mostly sticks to standards, which she manages to make sound quite fresh. Tate... Read More

Gershwin Songs
Artist: Lena Jansson