jazz2love

  Label:  Self-Released Release Date:  June 20, 2025 Websites:  www.thebevelededges.com https://www.shellybhushan.com/music/ https://www.anthonylanni.com/music.php https://linktr.ee/thebevelededges Singer-songwriter Shelly Bhushan has a voice that can stop traffic.  Her collaboration with nylon string guitarist-composer Anthony Lanni goes by the moniker The Beveled Edges.  Their debut release I Guess We're Not Alone is a listening experience that leaves a lasting impression on its audience.  The succor-rich strumming of Tex-Mex tones complimented by an alluring sway emanates from Lannie's guitar strokes, embroidered throughout the tracks as Bhushan sweetly serenades the listener with her shimmery timbres and elastic resonance.  A romantic gleam shrouds the tracks in a torchlight mist as Bhushan takes the listener by the hand, guiding one through a proverbial woodland of aural tranquility and  sonic bliss.  Their fusion of soul, blues, s...

Album:  Subduing the Silence Artist:  Ruiqi Wang (王睿琪) Label:  Orchard of Pomegranates Website:  https://www.ruiqiwangsings.com/ The debut recording Subduing the Silence from vocalist Ruiqi Wang (王睿琪) fuses ruminating vocals with stride piano, chamber music serenades, and traditional Chinese spirituals.  Wang's delivery is expressive, articulate and introspective as she channels a calm current among the sparse instrumental layers.  Her songs are interspersed with short instrumental interludes, indulging in freeform extemporization while Wang steers the recording into dream-like ambiences, helmed by thought-evoking lyrics and her sensual voicing. Accompanied by Stephanie Urquhart on piano, Summer Kodama on bass, Mili Hong on drums, and members of the Craft Ensemble including Colleen Brannen on violin, Amy Sims on violin, Amelia Hollander Ames on viola, and Velleda Miragias on cello, Wang bridges the ethereal plane with the human soul.  The chanting voi...

Album:  It's Alright With Me Artist:  Liz Terrell Label: Westmont Records Website: www.lizterrell.com The rich sonorous of Liz Terrell's vocals make listeners turn their heads in her direction.  Her 2022 release It's Alright With Me is a compilation of classic pop and jazz standards that she treats with her distinctive stylizing. A stylizing that audiences will relate to the soulful inflections of Thelma Houston and the arresting luster of torchlight crooner Nina Simone, augmented by a dreamy, bluesy vocalese that lingers in the mind long after the recording comes to a close. Her treatment of Cole Porter's trademark melody "Night and Day" highlights the swing jazz elements of the track, turning the balladry verses into a simmering burner with bopping traction.  Her phrasing adjusts to the soars and inclines along the chord movements, as though knowing when to emphasize a lyric and when to let her resonance drift off.  Her vocal inflections certainly heighten ...

Album:  All I Am Artist:  Anthony Jefferson Label:  Self-Released Website:  https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/anthonyjefferson2 Anthony Jefferson's vocals are overflowing with sensuality and warmth as the limberness in his vocal control kneads like a deep tissue massage for the aural senses.  His latest release All I Am is comprised of jazz standards, pop favorites, and a handful of original tunes.  Produced by Jefferson and arranged by Corey Allen, the recording resonates a smooth vocalese reminiscent of Johnny Mathis paired with the caressing inflections liken to Luther Vandross.  His blend of soul, rhythm and blues, and bossa nova make for a very enjoyable ride. It is smooth sailing through his version of "Summertime," tailored with sensual curves and arcs in his vocals that personalize the tune.  The orchestral strings strewn across "Impossible" broaden Jefferson's repertoire, steering him into chamber music terrain that brings out the dreamy q...