Thorson and her musical collaborators swing brightly though this hugely enjoyable set, never misplacing a breath or hand. There is a collective feel to the outing, arising largely because this group has worked together for many years, and throughout there is abundant evidence of the kind of understanding that only this experience can bring. Thorson‚s voice appears to me to be even richer than it was on the last CD I heard (JJI June 1995), and is always tuneful and has that sense of freedom that only comes after control has been achieved. Drawing her repertoire from standards, Ellingtonia, jazz tunes (Bill Evans‚s Five and Monk‚s I Mean You), she also finds room for some originals: Schuller‚s Punta, Miller‚s Dedication and her own Mother, Resonance and Wondering (the latter in collaboration with Ray). The team effort means that everyone has his or her say and all the musicians are in very good form. Ray, Clark and Schuller provide the kind of lift that singers and instrumentalists must dream about and their solo spots are extremely well taken. Miller, who sometimes alternates with Thorson as leader of the band on its gigs, is an exceptionally gifted and creative soloist. I was playing some tracks from recently reviewed singers‚ albums for a friend who remarked on how so many of them appeared doleful. On reflection I think he was right, but there‚s no hint of that here. Quite the opposite, in fact, because Thorson and her associates are unafraid to have fun when the mood allows. To combine observations by Val Wilmer and Bill Berry, I agree that music is as serious as your life, but there is absolutely no reason why you can‚t be 100% serious about it and still have

fun. And that‚s what happens here on, for example, tracks like the opener, the closer and But Not For Me. On the latter, it‚s just singer and drummer, and it swings joyously all the way. Schuller, incidentally, co-produced the album with Thorson, while his writer-composer father, Gunther, is Executive Producer. Excellent sound with only brief notes, most of which are by the singer. Although I ended my last review of a CD by this singer with a recommendation, I fell a little short of being wildly enthusiastic. Well, whatever shortcomings I might have thought I detected then I have no such reservations this time and I am happy to commend this CD to you unreservedly.

Bruce Crowther

brucecrowther@anit.es

Thorson and her musical collaborators swing brightly though this hugely enjoyable set, never misplacing a breath or hand. I am happy to commend this CD to you unreservedly.

Bruce Crowther