One of the top jazz singers of the 1990s,
Roseanna Vitro is a versatile vocalist who is not afraid to take chances. On her Telarc debut, the personnel changes on many of the ten selections with the stars among the sidemen including pianist
Ken Werner (
Vitro's musical director), altoist
Gary Bartz, trumpeter
Tim Hagans, bassist
Christian McBride and drummer
Elvin Jones. Among the highpoints of the diverse repertoire are an adventurous "Freedom Jazz Dance," "Out of This World," "Long as You're Livin ',"
McCoy Tyner's "Passion Dance" and "Strollin"' (an adaptation of
Charles Mingus' "Nostalgia in Times Square"). The only number that does not work is an over-the-top rendition of "More than You Know" that is overly complex; simplicity would have been much more effective. Otherwise this is a superior set by a very appealing singer. ~ Scott Yanow