Cassandra Wilson is one of jazz music’s most captivating female vocalists. Her latest CD entitled “Loverly” is a must have for all jazz collectors or any one who appreciates great music. This is a new interpretation of jazz standards which Ms. Wilson has not done since her 1988 release “Blue Skies.”
“I wanted to work with spare arrangements this time,” she says of her new ensemble comprised of Marvin Sewell (g), Jason Moran (p), Herlin Riley (d), Lonnie Plaxico (b), Lekan Babalola (perc) and guest appearances by Reginald Veal (b) and Nicholas Payton (t). This is a more traditional jazz ensemble than Ms. Wilson has featured on her previous Blue Note recordings and it has some outstanding performances.
Long time collaborator, Lonnie Plaxico on double bass, swings effortlessly through the opening track “Lover Come Back to Me” then grooves so soulfully on “Gone with the Wind” in a more progressive arrangement. Also featured on the acoustic bass, Reginald Veal’s playing on “The Very Thought of You” a duet with Ms. Wilson compliments the subtle richness of her voice with his incredible bass sound.
Jason Moran’s piano is steeped in jazz tradition and true to his generation is full of new ideas and forward thinking. His energy and virtuosity render Ellington’s “Caravan” both exotic and funky at the same time. Jason Moran and Marvin Sewell together create a texture for Ms. Wilson’s sultry vocal styling that make “Wouldn’t it Be Loverly” an instant favorite.
This CD is a testament to Ms. Wilson’s ability to capture the essence of jazz in a variety of arrangements. The first three tracks are more traditional jazz arrangements then the next three tracks maintain a more progressive arrangement attractive to dancers. On “Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most”, guitarist Marvin Sewell’s brilliant acoustic guitar play combined with Ms. Wilson’s exceptional vocal range are “spare arrangement” goodness.
“Arere” incorporates “world music” influences from Africa performed with a traditional jazz ensemble where Herlin Riley, Lekan Babalola and Lonnie Plaxico create a percussive driven sound that reveals her ability to take jazz forward as her experience inspires her. Ms. Wilson’s career has been filled with creative alchemy melding influences into her jazz music sound including funk infused collaborations with Steve Coleman and the M-Base Collective (featuring innovative time signatures) and later the “Mississippi Delta” blues and folk elements heard on her 1993 release, “Blue Light ‘Til Dawn.” She has created a sound and style that is unique in jazz music which can be heard on three of the last four tracks that the entire band plays on.
This is a great CD that is “classic” Cassandra Wilson at her best.