Lyambiko, a jazz vocalist of German-African descent, highlights her affection for standards on this engaging Nagel-Heyer disc. She is backed by a capable, swinging trio, with Marque Lowenthal on piano, Robin Draganic on bass, and
Torsten Zwingenberger on drums and percussion. Her voice is deep, mellow-toned, and often playful, bringing freshness (and slightly accented English) to songs like "If I Were a Bell," "Mean to Me," and a pair of
Ellington classics, "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" and "I Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues." On the modern material she takes more risks -- starting
Nat Adderley's "Work Song" a cappella, for instance, then holding a powerful long note toward the end, taking the listener by surprise. Other highlights include a bass/vocal duo on "Gone With the Wind," a Portuguese rendition of "Chega de Saudade," a brief but effective take of "Miss Celie's Blues" (from the soundtrack of The Color Purple), and an African-tinged instrumental piece by Lowenthal called "Parakeet Prowl." ~ David R. Adler