Carol Chaikin is best-known as the alto soloist with the all-female big band
Diva. On her self-titled debut from 1990, she sounds as if she is suffering an identity crisis as she switches uncomfortably between R&B (which is utterly ruined by drummer
Zack Danziger's bombastic rhythms) and some fine jazz soloing. Most of the originals (performed with a quintet also including keyboardist Dave Kikoshi, bassist Lincoln Goines and percussionist Nydia "Liberty" Mata) are not much better than throwaways but
Chaikin does show some originality on alto, soprano and flute. Her best efforts are clearly in the future. ~ Scott Yanow