During lockdown Ada was unable to regularly meet with her long-time musical director Jamieson Trotter, so instead they turned their endeavours towards writing songs. Ada would write the lyrics and melody, and then over zoom Jamieson would work on the arrangements. The first song was recorded using Garageband, others were recorded by sending songs to the rest of the band in round robin style for each to complete their own parts, while seven were recorded during a break in lockdown. That it is not possible to accurately state what songs were recorded in what manner is an achievement and shows how closely aligned to the vision each of the musicians is. With Jamieson providing piano and Ada the vocals, they were joined by Dan Lutz (bass), Peter Buck (drums), and Scott Mayo (sax, clarinet, flute), and the result is an album which is built around the two key melodies from the vocals and piano with the rest adding additional layers when the time is right.
Her sultry, smoky alto is at the centre of everything, providing warmth even if the music is at times quite staccato underneath. The flute in this context is a revelation, providing brightness and trills while the bass keeps everything grounded and often leading the melody. There is a wonderful use of space within this, more so than I would normally expect, and I wonder if some of that was due to the musicians working in isolation and not wanting to overpower what had already been produced as opposed to being in the moment and all working together. It is a gentle jazz album, which is designed for the evening when it is time to relax in a comfortable chair and just let the world drift away as one falls into Ada’s world. Reflective and never overpowering, this is a very pleasant album indeed.
Rating: 7/10
