Vocalist
Carolyn Leonhart and saxophonist
Wayne Escoffery are a married couple who make up a powerful musical team; on their first CD together that was totally under their control, they seem to intuitively know how to bring out the best in one another. Joined by pianist
Toru Dodo, bassist
Hans Glawisching, and either
Carl Allen or
Jason Brown on drums, they achieve the perfect mix of updated treatments of vintage compositions (few of which are played much anymore) and new compositions, including their own originals plus collaborations with other musicians. They transform
Benny Goodman's "If Dreams Come True" into a lively post-bop vehicle, with
Leonhart's soulful vocal bolstered by
Escoffery's searing tenor and the driving rhythm section. Their light, breezy take of
Benny Carter's "Key Largo" features
Escoffery's fluid soprano sax and
Dodo's laid-back piano.
Escoffery's instrumental feature is pianist
Hank Jones' rich ballad "Angel Face." The originals are just as enticing. The couple's "Nothing Left to Say" is a tense cooker, while "Earth Calling" is easily the most adventurous performance of the sessions."Free to Love" is an unusual ballad, written with
Carolyn's brother
Michael Leonhart; his dark, moody music contrasts with dreamy lyrics. This is a superb outing for both
Carolyn Leonhart and
Wayne Escoffery, two rising stars of their generation. ~ Ken Dryden