Despite being on the Blue Note label, Wilson treads a fine line between jazz and pop. Well-credentialled jazz players like Don Byron on clarinet and Olu Dara on cornet add a jazz feel, but in the end there's no escaping Wilson's commercial focus. The version of Robert Johnson's bluesy 'Come On In My Kitchen', however, is outstanding.
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All For you Diana Krall 1995 [Impulse!]
Before she achieved crossover mega-stardom Krall recorded two terrific jazz records for the Impulse label, the other being 1997's Love Scenes. Therefore it is ironic that All For You is a tribute to the Nat King Cole Trio. Cole too was one of the brightest stars in jazz before achieving huge popular success singing romantic pop ballads.
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Love Scenes Diana Krall 1997 [Impulse!]
Krall's commercial success has not dimmed her jazz pedigree in the slightest. Mega-hit Love Scenes sees the pianist/vocalist in a trio accompanied only by guitarist Russell Malone and bassist Christian McBride. No modern jazz collection would be complete without at least one of her albums - and this one is a pretty safe place to start.
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You're My Thrill Shirley Horn 2001 [Verve]
Veteran jazz pianist/singer Shirley Horn returns for another set with arranger Johnny Mandel on board. This time, however, the string-laden romantics are nicely counter-weighted with some swinging small group numbers. The standout in support is guitarist Russell Malone, making many wonder how good an all-swing effort would be.
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Ballads - Remembering John Coltrane Karrin Allyson 2001 [Concord]
Allyson's best record to date has her reinventing the track listing from John Coltrane's 1961 Ballads LP with style and sophistication. Tenors Bob Berg and James Carter pay homage to Trane in their own stylistic fashion, while pianist James Williams adds his subtle tones to the mix. A moving record that is sure to please fans of female vocal jazz.
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Come Away With Me Norah Jones 2002 [Blue Note]
According to Blue Note, this is a "jazz-informed" record - which simply put means it is a pop record made by someone with a jazz background. The daughter of Ravi Shankar, Jones explored jazz vocals and piano at high school and university before getting caught up in the Greenwich Village scene. Guitarist Bill Frisell features in support.
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This is New Dee Dee Bridgewater 2001 [Verve]
A somewhat unlikely jazz tribute to German theatrical composer Kurt Weill. Although occasionally straying into jazz-pop territory, Bridgewater utilises her stage experience to deliver what has to be the definitive Weill record. For those wondering why 'Mack the Knife' is missing, there is an uncredited version of it at the end of the record.
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Verse Patricia Barber 2002 [Blue Note]
Barber had been threatening to break through for some time before this gem of a record was released. Here the pianist/vocalist pens all the tracks and uses her unusual voice to take us deep into a maze of delightful avant-garde lyricism. With the added bonus of trumpeter Dave Douglas on board, this is the Barber album to have.
