An album that's often overlooked amidst some of the bigger "songbook" Verve sessions by Ella Fitzgerald – yet a really special record that shows off a side of Ella that's not ever captured this well on other records! The record was also initially billed as tied into the book and film Let No Man Write My Epitaph – but there's nothing soundtrack-like at all about the performance, as Fitzgerald works with only backing from pianist Paul Smith – a player who sounds wonderful next to the singer, and brings just the right sort of inflections to open up Ella's vocals for the date! There's a spare quality that's completely captivating – proof that Fitzgerald was a hell of a jazz singer at the core, even when her star was rising on the international scene – maybe even more compelling without any large arrangements at all, as she takes on superb material that includes versions of "Misty", "Black Coffee", "Angel Eyes", "I Cried For You", "Who's Sorry Now", "September Song", "Then You've Never Been Blue", and "Reach For Tomorrow". CD

Mari Nakamoto is a jazz singer with a wonderful sense of tone – a musicality in her voice that comes through on the first few notes of the record, then continues throughout as she transforms familiar tunes with that special sort of magic that marks a rare breed of jazz vocalist! Nakamoto really understands the tunes, and clearly sees her voice as much as an instrument as just the conveyor of lyrics – very much in a Sarah Vaughan sort of school, although Mari's certainly got her own sense of phrasing too. Instrumentation includes lots of great touches that bring out the best in her voice – including vibes from Kazuhiro Matsushi, and guitar from Shoji Yokouchi – on titles that include "Love For Sale", "On A Clear Day", "Day By Day", "On Green Dolphin Street", and "No Moon At All". CD

Mighty nice work from singer Ann Burton – one of those jazz vocalists who was almost a secret star in the 70s – continuing a legacy of earlier fame, but through a series of overseas recordings and small label dates that really let her grow creatively and open up fresh territory as an artist! The set features accompaniment from a shifting lineup of Japanese jazz players – and includes some especially nice tenor and flute from Akira Miyazwa, plus piano from Masahiko Satoh and Toshihiko Ogawa, guitar from Sadanori Nakamure, and bass from Kunimitsu Inaba – an especially great player whose round, warm tone really shapes the record. Titles include "Yesterday & Yesterdays", "Come Rain Or Come Shine", "May I Come In", "Love Is A Necessary Evil", "By Myself Alone", and "That Old Feeling". CD features two bonus tracks – "Oh What A Shame" and "Nice To be Back Again". CD

A great mix of jangle pop and female vocal numbers from 60s England – the 4th in RPM's great series of Dream Babes, and one of the best yet! The groove here runs along the lines of work by some of the more famous British singers of the era – Petula Clark, Shirley Bassey, Sandi Shaw, and others – but often has some nice left-field touches that make the tunes a bit more exciting and less familiar, thanks to some especially great production. Titles include "Gonna Give Him Some Love" and "I Want That Boy" by The Chantelles, "Gonna Make Him Mine" and "Love Hit Me" by The Orchids, "Love Is Wonderful" by Paula Parfitt, "Here I Am" by Linda Thorson, "When I Think Of You" by Twiggy, "That Lonely Feeling" by The McKinleys, "Reviewing The Situation" by Jacki Bond, and "I Can Hear Music" by The Breakaways. 22 tracks – and great notes! CD

Great stuff – one of the amazing early albums from the team of Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger – kind of a next-generation to the Brit beat group sound of the mid 60s – one that moves beyond simple R&B modes, to bring in more sophisticated soul and jazz touches! Driscoll's vocals are amazing – some of the boldest belted out in the British scene at the time – and Auger's Hammond work really cooks throughout – at a level that easily makes him one of the best UK organists to hit the scene, amidst some very heady company in the 60s. There's a few bluesy moments, but our favorites are the funky ones – especially the group's reading of "Season Of The Witch", which is tremendous. Other cuts include "In & Out", "Black Cat", "Goodbye Jungle Telegraph", and "Break It Up". LP, Vinyl record album

Later issue of the first album from Michael Franks – and a bit different than his later hits at Warner! The trademark Frank sound is definitely in place here – well-penned tunes, sung with cool compressed vocals and a slight jazzy tinge – but there's also a bit more of a folksy feel at times, a slightly earthier feel at points that's quite nice, and which almost links him a bit to the early work of Kenny Rankin. Arrangements are by Richard Markowitz, and backings are relatively spare and sometimes jazzy – with bits of flute and sax from Tom Scott, and some especially nice bass work from Max Bennett and Carol Kaye, whose round tones really help shape Michael's vocals. Titles include "Just Like Key Largo", "The King Of Oklahoma", "Born With The Moon In Virgo", "Little Sparrow", and "When Blackbirds Fly". LP, Vinyl record album

An excellent set that has the vocal talents of the Swingle Singers backed by the sweet and mellow instrumentation of the Modern Jazz Quartet! Given that John Lewis & Co were essentially local residents in Paris for so many years, it's amazing it took them until 1966 to hook up with Ward Swingle's hip vocal group – but the album's more than worth the wait, as the MJQ really help open things up, and take the Swingles into more complicated territory than before. Milt Jackson's vibes are especially great alongside the groovy vocals – and titles include "Little David's Fugue", "Vendome", "When I Am Laid In Earth", "Air For G String", and "Three Windows". LP, Vinyl record album

A live little set from Blossom Dearie – one recorded in Reno at the end of the 70s, with mostly Blossom on piano and vocals, plus a bit of bass from Bill Takas and some guest duet vocals from Bob Dorough! The album really captures the charm and grace of Blossom in her later live years – a mode that's relaxed, but confident – able to come across with new wisdom on the sadder, mellower tunes – and possibly even more wit on the more upbeat numbers! Dorough's presence is especially great, and his hipster voice only adds more electricity to the record – and titles here include "I'm Shadowing You", "Baby It's Cold Outside", "I'm Hip", "When The World Was Young", "Sweet Surprise", "Ballad Of The Shape Of Things", "Lush Life", and "Two Sleepy People". LP, Vinyl record album

A live little set from Blossom Dearie – one recorded in Reno at the end of the 70s, with mostly Blossom on piano and vocals, plus a bit of bass from Bill Takas and some guest duet vocals from Bob Dorough! The album really captures the charm and grace of Blossom in her later live years – a mode that's relaxed, but confident – able to come across with new wisdom on the sadder, mellower tunes – and possibly even more wit on the more upbeat numbers! Dorough's presence is especially great, and his hipster voice only adds more electricity to the record – and titles here include "I'm Shadowing You", "Baby It's Cold Outside", "I'm Hip", "When The World Was Young", "Sweet Surprise", "Ballad Of The Shape Of Things", "Lush Life", and "Two Sleepy People". CD