Ron Kaplan has a pleasing voice, the ability to swing and his fairly basic improvising is sometimes reminiscent of
Ernie Andrews and (from the female side)
Ernestine Anderson, a slightly R&B-ish approach that can be soulful. The singer is assisted on this CD by pianist Smith Dobson, bassist Stan Poplin, drummer Steve Robertson, the impressive young tenor saxophonist
Donny McCaslin (for four of the 11 numbers), and by tenorman Paul Kontos on "Autumn Leaves." The problem with the release is that all of the songs (which include "Summertime," "Dindi," "My Favorite Things" and "Senor Blues") have been recorded many times before and, although enjoyable,
Ron Kaplan's treatments are somewhat predictable and not exactly definitive. However, this is a generally enjoyable early effort by the promising singer. ~ Scott Yanow