Blind Lemon Pledge is the alter-ego of composer and arranger James Byfield (who on this release also provides some guitar and vocals), and here he has pulled together a band to undertake a classic approach to jazz, firmly rooted by the vocals of Marisa Malvino and piano of Ben Flint, who also assisted with the arrangements. The rhythm section comprises Peter Grenell (bass) and Joe Kelner (drums) but for the most part they fully understand their part, which is to provide support to the two main protagonists, and they keep in the background providing that support in a wonderfully understated way. Byfield knew exactly what he wanted from this album, and the feeling is that of a small nightclub where the spotlights are on the keyboard player and the singer, and both is comfortable enough in their own ability to perform without the other and carry it on their own when the moment is right.
The combination of strident right hand and gentle boogie from his left makes Flint a superb accompanist while Malvino’s alto voice is rich and decadent. No piercing single focus notes, she can hit whatever she aims for but her voice so rich and sumptuous that it is as if she is singing a chord. I’ve heard a lot of female-fronted jazz albums this year, but there is no doubt there is a richness and quality contained within this which is sometimes lacking from others. We are back in the Golden Age, and when they move slightly out of the genre and bring in some blues then they are equally at home. I know that it in the UK that Lemon Pledge is a furnisher polish, but take it from me that when you hear this you will look way past the name of the person behind it and instead enjoy a deliciously rich and enjoyable album from start to end.
Rating: 9/10
