Here is the fifth album from Australian jazz singer Bonnie J Jensen, and while she is coming at this material from that viewpoint, she also covers soul, Latin and pop as she covers material from the likes of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Sting and Michael Franks. Recorded in different two sessions, she has basically two totally different groups of musicians with far more brass for the second recording, which provides different dynamics, especially as the recordings have been mixed up within the album.
She has a lovely clear voice, and while the album is obviously set towards the vocals, she has also ensured all the musicians have the opportunity to shine (and details who provides what solos on each song in the booklet). It feels like a very mature album in the sense that there are clear direction and focus, whatever style is being played, and the result is something which is very easy to and get inside. I am not always the greatest fan of this type of album, but there is something about this which is incredibly enjoyable, as Bonnie is obviously very much in control but doesn’t take centre stage too much so we definitely get the impression that here is a polished band with a great singer as opposed to someone and a load of hired hands. Bright and fresh, this is a very approachable and enjoyable release.
Rating: 8/10
Links:
https://bonniejjensen.com/