Katchie Cartwright has an attractive voice that she uses quite effectively on this quintet set, often wordlessly. Her interplay with altoist Richard Oppenheim and the excellent rhythm section (pianist
James Weidman, bassist
Belden Bullock, and drummer
Bill Goodwin) results in some touching and even eerie moments. The repertoire mostly alternates originals by Cartwright and Oppenheim (with one from
Weidman) that are sometimes based on other songs, such as "The Moon Over His Crazy Rock Garden" (which uses the chords of "Stella by Starlight"). Best is a three-song medley of "Embraceable You"-type tunes, "Dear Mr. Walrus," and "Blue Mi." Cartwright functions as part of the band as opposed to a stand-in-front singer, and the resulting music is quite intriguing and unpredictable. Well worth checking out. ~ Scott Yanow