While it might not be as ambitious as her previous album,
New York City Drag, where
Lorraine Feather showed that she had the vocal and artistic chops to handle reinterpreting a number of
Fats Waller tunes,
Café Society does a nice job of showcasing this longtime vocalist's artistic range. From the hyper-exuberant version of "Jungle Rhythm" (featured in the sequel to the Disney classic The Jungle Book), to her reinterpretation of
Duke Ellington instrumentals on "Creole Love Call" and "Rockin' in Rhythm," this album is a well-produced showcase of what
Lorraine Feather can do. A number of originals co-written with famed songwriters like
David Benoit and
Don Grusin help add variety, with songs that range from swing to the softer side of contemporary jazz.