Album Review: Life in the Modern World from Lauren White

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Album:  Life in the Modern World
Artist:  Lauren White
Label:  Cafe Pacific
Website:  www.laurenwhitejazz.com

The pretty vocals of Lauren White give a fresh take on modern standards like 1985's "In a New York Minute" and classics like 1944's "How Little We Know," written by the great songwriting team of Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer.  Her latest release Life in the Modern World recaptures several finds that she discovered while scavenging through the music archives of the 20th century and adding a handful of post millennial numbers like "Till I Get It Right," penned by Stuart Elster and Mark Winkler.  

From intimate cabarets to casino lounges, White's music is sleek and tuneful with hints of jazz greats gone-by.  The airy atmosphere of "American Tune" is powdered in sparkling synth effects as the shimmering guitar chords of Grant Geissman show a flare for picturesque soundscapes, producing fluctuating shadows around White's vocals making for aurally pleasing aesthetics.  The bopping jazz horns flouncing gracefully along "In a New York Minute" accentuate White's pretty vocal nuances while the bluesy tone of Johnson's keys ambling leisurely through "Slow Down" cushion White's vocals in gentle waves.  The calypso beats of "Midnight Sun" propel White's vocals into a catchy shimmy that segues into a smooth caress through "Coffee."

Whether it's spicing up a tune with a Latin groove, a swinging horn arrangement, or a dance-funk rhythm, White puts her own imprint on these covers.  A collaborative effort with her pianist-arranger Quinn Johnson and producer-vocalist-lyricist Mark Winkler, the release is modern adult pop sweetness relatable to mature audiences.

Musicians:
Lauren White - vocals
Quinn Johnson - piano
Kevin Axt - bass
David Finck - bass
Marvin “SMITTY” Smith - drums
Chris Wabich - drums and percussion
Kevin Winard - drums and percussion
Grant Geissman - guitar
Alex Budman - horns
Francisco Torres - trombone
Tatum Greenblatt - trumpet
Michael Stever - flugelhorn and trumpet
David Mann - flute
Mark Winkler - vocals

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